793.94/3896: Telegram
The Consul General at Nanking (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
28. My [27,] February 1, 11 p.m. Rifle shots were only along the water front near the hulk at which was moored the steamer housing the Japanese Consul. American destroyer Simpson was anchored about 600 yards distant between this and the Japanese naval vessel. Rifle fire was followed by machine-gun fire and 1 minute later by fire toward shore of 3-inch gun from above-mentioned Japanese naval vessel. Intermittent firing of gun on naval vessel continued for about 20 minutes. Japanese have today insisted that guns on Lion Hill fired three shots toward Japanese vessels, but the Chinese deny this. Chinese assert shells landed on Lion Hill and elsewhere in the city. Fragments were exhibited to me. Apparently no damage was done, but shots caused great alarm because they showed what may be expected at any time while the Japanese vessels remain in the harbor and the present tension exists regarding origin of the incident. The Japanese assert that a bomb was thrown by Chinese onto the Japanese dock seriously wounding a sentry whereupon ship fired blank shots and subsequently shells to restore order, while the Chinese suspect a deliberate plot to embroil the Chinese in combat. The Consulate General explained the situation to a meeting of representative Americans today indicating belief that similar incident probably will happen again if the present situation continues. Over 30 American women and children will evacuate tomorrow. Chinese generally apprehend some hostile Japanese action and thousands are leaving the city. The Chinese authorities continue to assure the Consulate General that they will not take the initiative in the attack and that order will be maintained.
Legation informed.