793.94/11842: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Sokobin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:25 p.m.]
The actual situation in the Tsingtao municipal area since Saturday night has been one of quiet, from outward appearance. However, the Mayor has issued a statement from which the following is quoted:
“We should not cherish any hope of escape (for Tsingtao). The enemy have completed their encircling plans, thus maneuvering Tsingtao into an impossible position. The enemy will then seize the city at a single stroke. We shall not yield a fraction (of Tsingtao) unless it is absolutely necessary. With disaster so close, with the exception of those on military police and public utility duties, all should withdraw from Tsingtao as soon as possible”.
Mayor also refers to those who would try to save themselves and their families at the cost of betraying their own country, “such people are unwittingly committing suicide”; apparently, the Mayor has in mind a group which is probably counselling nonresistance or compromise.
The Mayor’s statement is disturbing to many. Furthermore, there is every good reason to believe that all Chinese governmental authorities in Tsingtao, both national as well as municipal, have received instructions from the Central Government to destroy public utilities and property of whatever nature, namely, the telephone central, telegraphic apparatus and railway rights of way. The Consulate is certain that the main waterworks were mined last week ready for destruction at any moment. However, some of the officials will probably refuse to obey instructions in this respect. There is little doubt that all Chinese accept the loss of Tsingtao as inevitable, as may be judged in instruction from General Manager of the Bank of China to the local branch of a foreign bank to ship to Hong Kong 30,000,000 dollars in bank notes which the foreign bank is holding for the Bank of China.
Sent to Peiping, Hankow.