Evening star., 1927-03-25

fire across the country to the Socony
houses on Standard Oil Hill, just
above the city hall, which are visible
from the river and where many Ameri-
cans and British already were.
Although repeatedly robbed and
threatened by Nationalists soldiers,
my vice consul. j. Hall Paxton of
Danville, Va, and the Socony man
the house for : hours, but they finally
broke in and seeing our numbers they
retired and commenced firing at US in
ever increasing numbers
The American and British naval
vessels then dropped shells immedi-
ately around the house and we
escaped over the wall. The American
consulate was forced by Nationalist
soldiers and is reported by the
Chinese as thoroughly looted. 1t has
not been ascertained whether or not
the safe has been forced and the
codes lost"
Reports American Killed.
Admiral Williams, at the time the
report was forwarded, said he had
IL
only one American in Nanking. DR..
Williams of the Nanking University.
One British sailor on the cruiser
Emerald also was killed by snipers
firing from the shore.
Japanese naval craft at Nanking
had landed a detachment of SO men
under cover of the guns of three de-
stroyers. The situation along the
Yangste River was described by Ad-
miral Williams as tense"
Two hundred and fifty American
missionaries had sailed from Hankow
for Shanghai and other steamers are
being held in readiness at Hankow to
evacuate the remaining Americans, If
necessary. A heavy movement Of
Chinese Nationalist forces across the
river from Hankow was reported.
Another dispatch from Admiral Will
liams sent at 4:43 pm, today Chinese
timeJ said an attempt was under way
to rescue foreigners in Nanking, par
ticipated in by American and British
and local Chinese au-
thorities.
At. II am. Chinese time) Admiral
Williams said attempts to establish
with foreigners in
Nanking had been unsuccessful. He
reported that the entire staff of the
ed in Nanking, was safe.
1863 L. s. Refugees Sail.
American refugees, comprising 10
men. 81 women and 50 children, had
sailed from Nanking for Shanghai on
the steamers Kungwo and WenchoW
early today.
The American destroyer William B.
Preston. while escorting the refugee
boat Kungwo from Nanking to a point
below Kiangwan, was fired upon from
Nsnking points. The fire was return
ed by the destroyer's machine guns.
Chinese forts above and below Chin
kiang also fired on the Preston, and
the destroyer again replied by turn
ing loose it's 4-inch battery. NO cas-
ualties to the Preston's personnel re-
suited.
The situation at Chinkiang was de-
scribed as serious. All Americans
there have taken refuge at the Stand
ard Oil Co.'S installation, and British
refugees have concentrated at the
Asiatic petroleum station.
Looting and firing were reported in
progress throughout the concession
area, and Americans were preparing
at 4:43 pm. today Chinese time), to
leave on the steamer Wenchow for
Shanghai.
Williams Agreed TO Smelling.
Admiral Williams said he had con-
CURED in the opinion Of the senior
British naval authorities at Nanking
that a determined shelling OF the mill
ta,ry points in that city, avoiding as
much as possible those sections occu-
pied by civilian and non-combatants,
would have a beneficial effect upon
the situation.
Previous to having sent the ulti-
matum and having authorized Admiral
Hough, in command OF American
forces at Nanking, to use his judg-
ment in dealing with the situation,
Admiral Williams had sent this mes
sage to his fellow officer at Nanking:
american, British and Japanese
commanders-in-ch agree that II
possible further drastic action should
he avoided until Gen. Chang Kai
Shek Cantonese war lorD has been
given an opportunity to fulfill his
guarantees to provide adequate pro.
lection to all foreigners"
Demands Made at Nanking.
report by Admiral Hough to Ad.
miral Williams, forwarded to the Navy
recruitment, said the attempted
ties at Nanking had proved unsuc.
ceSsful.
| Admiral Hough had received indi
rect word from Gen. Chang kai Shek
that the general hoped TO reach Nan
king on March 26 to take charge
Chang promised that he would
guarantee the safety of lives and
property of all foreigners in Marking
The admiral said the local Chinese
commander at Marking had been noti
| fed that:
First, we demand that a genera
of division command rank shall come
on board prior to noon today and ar
range for proper treatment of wound
| ed foreigners ashore.
/ Second, that if this demand be not
complied with, Chiang's request can
not be guaranteed and we shall take
such action as may be deemed neces
sary. 1t may be deemed necessary tc
fire upon barracks on salient military
points in order TO obtain the release
| of Americans remaining alive or
shore, approximately 1855"
| In forwarding Admiral Hough's re
port about the coming of Chang
| which was made prior to the delivery
of the ultimatum. Admiral Williams
said:
'Chiangs request, as communicated