Office of the Historian

893.00/7142: Telegram

The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State

Peking, March 4, 1926—noon.
[Received March 4—7:34 a.m.]

109. My 108, March 3, 1 p.m. and my 107, March 2, 4 p.m.

1. Following to Shanghai in reply to inquiry as to practicability of sea route from Shanghai to Tientsin and Peking.

“March 4, 10 a.m. Your March 3, 3 p.m.

(1)
The sea route from Shanghai to Tientsin which has been normal may be interfered with or even become dangerous owing to the [Page 594] arrival off Taku Banks on the afternoon of March 3rd of a Chinese naval expedition from Tsingtau should it eventuate that this force is hostile to Kuominchun. Thus far the allegiance of expedition not definitely known. I shall telegraph further when the situation develops.
(2)
Two trains daily each way are still in operation between Tientsin and Peking although trains are often late. It is not unlikely that this train service will shortly be interrupted in view of the approach of Li Ching-lin forces toward Tientsin from the south and credible reports of continued advance of Wu Pei-fu in Honan and commencement of Fengtien attack from the north toward Tientsin which may result in fighting in the vicinity of Tientsin and Peking.
(3)
In using this information you should take care not to cause undue alarm.”

2. Consul general, Tientsin, in reporting facts set forth in paragraph (1) of quoted telegram stated U. S. S. Preston would proceed to Taku from Shanghai.

3. Credibly reported that Wu Pei-fu has captured Chengchow, Honan, important junction point of Peking-Hankow and Lung-Hai Railroads and that Chang Tso-lin has captured Lanchow.

4. Repeated to Tokyo.

MacMurray