793.94/11799: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Sokobin) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 26—6:34 p.m.]
There is no question that the bridge reported destroyed in my telegram December 25, 4 [4:15] p.m.51 was destroyed by an armored train under the orders of General Han, Governor of Shantung, in order to cut off railway transportation of General Yu Hsueh Chung’s troops who were supposed to go west to Tsinan and perhaps then southwards to Hsuchowfu.
Under these circumstances it looks more than ever that the Japanese will solve the Shantung problem through the kind offices of General Han.
[Page 834]Everything quiet in Tsingtao and [as far as is known] in Tsinan also. Under the conditions now obtaining there is no serious obstacle to any plan of the Japanese to invade Shantung through Tsingtao if they so desire.
Sent to the Department, Peiping, Hankow.
- Not printed.↩