893.00/12898: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 21—10:50 a.m.]
590. Reference Legation’s 565, December 11, 11 a.m.92 concerning situation in Hunan. Consul General at Hankow telegraphed December 20, 4 p.m., that five American Catholic Fathers, McDermott, Maloney, Berard, Fogarty and Flaherty left Changteh, Hunan on 17th and arrived at Hankow on 19th. They reported that Reds were attacking Changteh when they departed. Red attack was apparently unexpected, Reds having broken through Government lines between Taoyuan and Changteh. Changteh was reported to be holding out and Government troops advancing from Changsha.
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Legation has telegraphically instructed Peck to bring Hunan situation to the attention of the Foreign Office immediately and to request protection for Americans there. Peck has also been instructed to make representations in the sense of Department’s 388 [389], December 19, noon, including Hunan as well as Anhwei Province.
- Not printed.↩