893.00/5818: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 5—9:15 a.m.]
473. My number 451, November 20, 4 p.m. The following telegram has been received from consul general at Hankow:
“December 4, 5 p.m. Due to the threatened attack by Shensi and Shansi troops on Loyang, Wu fled from there on the evening of the 2nd. Wu’s troops refused to support at Chengchow. He conferred with Chang Fu-lai25 and Li Chi-chen26 when it was decided that being entirely without troops Wu should continue to Hankow. He is now at Sinyang, Hsiao urges him to retire. Local railway office is informed Yellow River Bridge blown up by the 24th Division to prevent troops under Hu Ching-yi from coming south.
General unrest increasing in Honan besides renewed brigandage due to the withdrawal of troops from bandit-infested areas there are reported. Troop disorders at various points on Peking-Hankow and Lund-Hai Railways and popular feeling against Wu will prevent him from recovering control of troops and recruiting new army”.