893.00/11134: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 27—7 a.m.]
755. Following from Hankow:
“August 26, 3 p.m. Changsha was quiet last night but as a precaution some foreign women and children were placed aboard ships in harbor for safety. There are unconfirmed reports in circulation in Changsha that Ho Chien has resigned.
Ships are being fired upon by field pieces at a point 40 miles above Kiukiang by Communists quartered on hillside. One shell was fired at close range at a British ship on which I was travelling, at 2 a.m. on August 24, at point named. Vessel not struck. Japanese and other vessels also attacked at same point. Apparently no effort being made by Chinese authorities to suppress these activities.”