393.1111 Nelson, Bert N./29: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 28—2 p.m.]
123. The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“November 28, noon. Second paragraph my November 13 [17], noon.20
I received a letter today from Reverends Nelson and Tvedt, Chiliping, Hwangan, Hupeh, dated November 12. Letter was written at the direction of their captors and states that the ransom is now fixed at $30,000, less the $3,000 already paid for the release of Miss Evenson. The following excerpt from the letter will indicate the conditions under which the two captives are living:
‘It is getting more and more difficult [to] live under the conditions here. I am wearing summer clothes. The food is rice and bitter vegetables. Meat is available only occasionally. I have had no letters or news. It is cold and damp.
Our guards and headman impatiently urge us to request the immediate paying of the balance of the ransom or our lives may be forfeited.’
The letter further states representatives in the interest of the payment of ransom can safely meet representatives from the First Red Army.
A letter was also sent to me signed by the Reverends Nelson and Tvedt addressed to Ho Ying-chin reading as follows:
‘We are urged to present to your good office a final appeal for ransom. They are getting impatient here because no reply has come to our former appeals.
The sum of $30,000 is demanded for the lives of Miss Evenson, Reverend Tvedt connected with the Garret N. Nelson.21 Reverend Tvedt made a loan of $3,000 which is to be deducted from the $30,000 asked upon the release of Miss Evenson.
Our captors and guards impatiently urge us to request the immediate paying of the balance on peril of our lives.’
I am again telegraphing General Ho Ying-chin at Chengchow urging him to take immediate steps for the release of Messrs. Nelson and Tvedt, and I am also bringing the letter to the attention of General Ho Chen-chun at Hankow. I suggest that the case be again urgently brought to the attention of the Nanking authorities through the direct representation of Minister Johnson.
Please inform Reverend D. Nelson, Progressive [North] China Union Language School, Peiping, of the above concerning the welfare of his brother.
Repeated to Department.”