893.00/10–1149: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong ( Rankin ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 11—7:42 a. m.]
814. Although Nationalist Government claims pouring Taiwan troops into Swatow and Canton for defense Kwangtung, complete lack activity Whampoa dock area indicates this not true Canton. Officer Consulate October 6 able freely inspect area. Found few troops, few ships and no loading or unloading equipment. This sharp contrast visits July, August when carefully guarded port crowded with ships, clogged with troops who escaped from Shanghai via Chekiang–Kiangsi and Canton–Hankow railroad, plus heavy construction equipment, small tanks, all moving to Taiwan.