893.00/9–749: Telegram
The Vice Consul at Chungking (McGeary) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 7—9:54 a. m.]
188. Following gist conversation between self and Mayor Yang Sen of Chungking this morning regarding fire which started downtown Chungking Friday September 2, 3 p. m. and burned until yesterday:
Casualties 24,780 wounded to date; 10,000 serious; 2,513 buried by municipal government to date; so far 5,728 families have registered as having lost homes, which believed small fraction total; Chungking comprised 18 districts; 1, 2 and 3 are most heavily populated; fire burned out two-thirds of first district comprising 21 streets, estimated population 110,000, not including boat people; damage estimated to be greater than Japanese bombings May 2 and 3, 1939; richest portion city burned destroying godowns, money shops, banks, merchandising establishments; great loss commodities particularly cotton; no military supplies; fire was started by Communists who plan destroying government center operations southwest; fire started five places at once, including cottage on yellow hill on south bank, formerly Generalissimo’s residence; mayor has in hand documents indicating Communist organization in Chungking comprising two corps with daily plans burn Chungking to ground; Canton to be burned as well; two fire bugs already shot, others arrested; cutting of water pipes, pouring gasoline into water pumps, and setting off gasoline-soaked rags in hotel room are indicative of intention burn city; numerous new fires broke out in widely separated areas September 3, 4, 5, 6; mayor received telephone call from Luhsien that large fire started there yesterday near water front in small alleys where difficult bring in fire fighting equipment as was case in Chungking; mayor believes Communists wish burn city to ground as it is center of political, military and economic activity of southwest; desire neutralize any effort Nationalists organize new offensive here; cost Generalissimo his face; and break up scheduled V–J Day anti-Communist parade demonstration Saturday September 3 to be witnessed by Generalissimo.
Generalissimo ordered parade called off. Street talk Monday blamed Generalissimo’s presence for fire. Yesterday People’s Council of Chungking reportedly petitioned Generalissimo remain here. Mayor informed me that Yunnan Governor Lu Han departed Kunming yesterday by plane at 2:20 p. m. arrived Chungking 4:45 p. m., is guest Generalissimo at Santung, official residence near Lin Sen’s31 tomb; Chiang Ching-kuo is with his father at Santung.
[Page 523]Sent Department 188, repeated Nanking 168, Canton 142, Kunming 7.
- President of the National Government of the Republic of China, December 1931–August 1943.↩