The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-03-25

Admiral II. H. Hough at Marking
reported this today to Admiral C.
S. Williams, United States Asiatic
fleet commander, after earlier an
nouncing plans for bombarding the
city. An insolent message from the
Chinese-and the fear that more
Americans would be killed-had
prompted Hough to threaten
bombardment tonight. Hough's
message was dated $50 p. m.
Nanl;ing time, and was relayed at
1852 p. M, Shanghai time, by VIII.
liams.
100 Americans Wait
Hough said 1t was possible that
100 Americans. huddled together in
Marking University for safety from
the warfrenzied Cantonese, would
be evacuated tonight to the shelter
Of waiting American craft in the
harbor. There are about thirty.five
other Americans supposedly remain
ing In the city still.
The British consul general,
wounded in the Cantonese original
onslaught on foreigners, has been
taken aboard the British vessel
Emerald. along with some British
marines hitherto listed as missing"
The strong stand taken by the
commanders of the Anglo-American
war craft in the harbor apparently
had Gained the ferocity Of the
Chinese, for Hough reported the
situation somewhat easier. II was
easy enough, in any event, to war.
rant postponing the threat of bonn
bardment which Hough and his col
leagues of the British armada had
sternly delivered the Cantonese.
Japanese Leave
The Japanese were completing
evacuation of their nationals tonight
thanking time), Hough said.
Hough reported, I'VE are post
poning further consideration of ac-
ton tomorrow" This meant that
Marking would not Immediately be
declared a military area--a target for
the grilling shrapnel. which Anglo
American ships had already once
poured there to shield harassed
foreigners.
Previously Hough had plainly
warned his superior. Williams, that
the latter at Shanghai probably
could not quite appreciate the
seriousness of the situation at Nan
king. Hough said plainly he feared
for Americans safety and he re-
counted in the blunt language OF the
seaman the fact that the Cantonese
within the city were insolent and
obstinate.
Williams had counseled caution.
Hough was opposed. Steel, he in
was what the Chinese needed
in their present mood.
Anxious Waiting
Several hours passed and the
Navy waited anxiously for word
that perhaps a terrible lombard.
ment OF the open city converted by
decree into a fair target for guns)
had occurred. Meantime. however,
the Chinese ferocity had cooled.
The stern stand of Hough and his
English colleagues had worked like
a charm. In his own words. the
was thus:
"As a result of the strong stand
taken today by the forces here, the
foreigners are beginning to come
out OF the city. The japanese are
completing their evacuation tonight.
The British consul general and the
marines are now coming off
to the IT. M. s. Emerald. II is now
considered a fair possibility that
the 100 Americans. who took ref
uge at Marking University. will be
evacuating TO the ship stonight. In
view Of this. we are postponing fur.
Their consideration of action until
tomorrow"
u. s. Boat Under Fire
Admiral Williams, In a radio dis
patch sent to the Navy Depart.
ment at 4:43 p. m. today Chinese
time-S:1S a. m. eastern Standard
time). told of grave situa-
tion at Hankow and of two cases of
Chinese firing against the American
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