793.94/10410: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 4—1:24 p.m.]
810. My No. 796, October 1, 6 p.m.83 Japanese attacks supported by extremely heavy artillery fire and heavy bombing resulted last night in the capture of Liuhang and Chinese withdrawal from that area to new positions 5 to 7 miles further west. Withdrawal extended along a front commencing approximately 3 miles northwest of Lotien south to the strategic village of Tachang which if taken by the Japanese may result in Chinese withdrawal from Kiangwan and possibly Chapei sectors. Chinese stubbornly contested Japanese advance in spite of intense and sustained artillery bombardment resulting in many Chinese casualties. Japanese casualties during the last 3 days have been unusually heavy. Shelling and bombing of Kiangwan, Chapei and Pootung continues. Nineteen Japanese shells fell in the American sector Saturday night killing 1 Chinese and injuring 12 others; the Japanese chief of staff yesterday called on General Beaumont84 and apologized.
Sent to Nanking, Peiping.