893.00/1–1449: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 14—8:10 a. m.]
55. Reourtel 54, January 14, 11 a. m., to Dept,83 repeated Nanking,. Shanghai, Peiping. Shortly after sending our reftel, Communist shelling intensified spreading to other areas. A few minutes after noon shell hit either ammunition dump or gasoline dump in vicinity east railway station causing terrific explosion. Glass, doorways and windows our offices blown out. Electric power stopped temporarily putting out our radio until emergency generator put into commission.
No one injured our office; we are concentrated in hallway barricaded by piled-up rugs and away from windows. Our new USIS84 office next door to French Consulate hit by shell about 11 a. m., this time exploding. One Chinese girl employee cut in face by flying glass; taken to hospital by Vice Consul Yates,85 acting director USIS, where wound pronounced not serious. Vice Consul Yates slightly cut by glass from same explosion.
[Page 47]At time writing this message, Communist shells are landing in vicinity Victoria Park and Municipal Building (ex-Gordon Hall). Also some are landing as we finish this message closer to our building. Several large fires burning in city.
No American casualties so far reported.
Sent Department 55, repeated Nanking 50, Peiping 42, Shanghai 45, Tsingtao 5.