893.00/11029: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 31—5:52 a.m.]
638. Legation’s 628, July 29, 4 p.m. Following from the U. S. S. Palos:
“1029. Communists have obtained from city merchants and banks $1,000,000 payable upon completion burning foreign-owned properties which latter is being done systematically after first giving contents to rabble coolies, et cetera, none of whom are being molested. Information from local Chinese does not indicate particular resentment or objection to Communists from any except well to do. Believe [Page 155] Nanking Government should have some definite military assistance this area, else fear future strength of Communists will be greatly enhanced materially and morally. Threatened destruction of city if demands not met. However no time limit. No information relative Hunan troops supposedly returning from Kwangsi border or relative Ho Chien’s movements. Expect remain tomorrow also. Effective upon [sic] action relative military relief may result in checking probably eventual destruction extensive Socony and A. P. C. installations. Five feet water still exists far east A. P. C, interference observed between A. P. C. and Chenglingki. 1610.”
“1029. Communists apparently not in hurry to leave city. Reliably informed [by] Chinese runners, main force seven to eight thousand rifles encamped 2 to 3 miles east of city. Approximately one thousand rifles in city. Method of operation very systematic, well directed as follows: One or more riflemen go to house selected for destruction accompanied by four or five unarmed Communists, exspears69 or local sympathizers and ex-coolies; riflemen [talk?] with occupant and bystander asseverating nonmilitaristic motives while others remove furniture, et cetera, place in street, giving [to?] and helping to [the?] rabble, riflemen meantime saying he [they] will not interfere people’s will distribute excess property. Later, houses burned in such manner by [but?] isolated so that adjacent houses and ‘inoffensive’ persons not seriously damaged. City divided forty or fifty wards each in charge local ex-coolies, official Soviet form local government. About three to four thousand unarmed Communists, mostly local, used in this manner permitted enter [and] leave city, but this order cannot be enforced at night. No injury, rather protection, water, electricity, other facilities. Reward $200 offered [for] whereabouts any foreigners, Chinese officials or staff [of] foreign firm. Island isolated from local persons so far as possible prevent chance surprise by any one. Socony, Texas offices looted today, also Japanese Consulate, Hospital. No information German firms in south of city. Estimate total to date sixty to seventy. People, furniture, effects still fleeing as possible. So far only four foreigners not evacuated. Mr. Cameron, American conscientious objector evacuation [sic], one Italian priest captured, two German miners [mining?] engineers, Mr. Pusch and Matskowsky. Italian Mission reported undamaged, stating religious give money, amount unknown. Airplanes reconnoissance would be most valuable, indicate signs, movements main force, view valuable foreign properties still intact. Water level fell a little today, may necessitate departure Wednesday further down river and out of sight of city. 2130.”
- Former “Red Spear” Society members.↩