toms Administration to making formal representations to Chinese authorities. I do not object to your cooperation with your colleagues in making representations to Chinese Government, or to your instructing consul, Swatow, to protest if such action as he fears is taken. I question whether it is advisable or practicable at this time to conduct such an international naval demonstration as was carried out at Canton in 1923. KELLOGG INTENSIFICATION OF ANTIFOREIGN FEELING IN CANTON AFTER THE FIRING AT SHAMEEN 893.00/6292: Telegram The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State PEKING, June 19, 1925-5 p. m. [Received June 19-8:50 a. m.] 236. Following from consul general at Canton: "June 18, 1 p. m. General strike against foreigners imminent. I am warning American women and children to leave and the men who remain to be prepared for immediate departure in event of danger." MAYER 893.00/6299 : Telegram The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State PEKING, June 22, 1925-4 p. m. 239. My 236, June 19, 8 [5] p. m. Following from consul general at Canton: "June 21, 11 a. m. General strike and boycott against the British, Japanese and Americans has been announced and house and office employees are leaving this morning. About two-thirds American women and children have gone to Hongkong and other safer places. American senior naval officer and myself deemed it advisable to urge their departure because of extreme difficulty protecting large missionary communities in the suburbs in the event of disorders. One Japanese shot and robbed in the native city. This may have no political influence but many Japanese have entered Shameen for safety. Violent propaganda continues directed especially against the British." MAYER 893.00/6303: Telegram The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State PEKING, June 23, 1925-5 p. m. [Received June 23-11 a. m.] 243. My 239, June 22, 4 p. m. Following from consul general at Canton: "June 22, 4 p. m. Referring to my telegram of June 21, 11 a. m. I am reliably informed Governor issuing order today to troops and police to protect foreign lives and property, and C. C. Wu 5 has told senior consul foreigners will be protected. These belated assurances seem to indicate local authorities are beginning to realize their responsibility and will exercise some measure of control over parades and demonstrations announced for tomorrow. If there are no acts of violence tomorrow indications are that general situation will begin to improve. Confidentially I am informed that Kuomintang has decided to except Americans from the boycott which will be directed against the British and Japanese. Strike applies to all firms and residents in Shameen including consulate general and also Canton-Hongkong river steamers which will be completely tied up tomorrow. British Navy tug will bring the mails and food supplies daily. Servants and employees of Americans in the city and suburbs continue to work." MAYER 893.00/6314: Telegram The Consul General at Canton (Jenkins) to the Secretary of State SHAMEEN, June 24, 1925-noon. [Received June 25-8:45 a. m.] While the demonstration of students, laborers and soldiers was passing by Shameen about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon heavy rifle and machine-gun firing started between Chinese soldiers and British and French sailors lasting 20 minutes with sniping for an hour afterwards. One French civilian was killed and several other Europeans wounded. No Americans hurt, Chinese dead unknown but estimated at nearly a hundred. There was no shooting last night but the situation is exceedingly tense and fight may be resumed at any moment. As no request for assistance has come from the British and French Concessions, American Navy force merely standing by. It is estimated that 200 European and American refugees left for Hongkong this morning by special steamer. Japanese women and "Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Canton Government. children have taken refuge on the Japanese destroyer. The few Americans remaining in missions near Canton believed to be safe. Overwhelming foreign evidence that the Chinese soldiers fired first. U. S. S. Helena expected to arrive this afternoon from Hongkong. Consular code and seals transferred to U. S. S. Asheville for safekeeping. Legation is informed. JENKINS 893.00/6464 The Consul General at Canton (Jenkins) to the Secretary of State No. 336 CANTON, June 26, 1925. SIR: I have the honor to refer to my telegram of June 24, 12 o'clock noon, to the Department and to the Legation concerning the brief but sharp firing that occurred on the afternoon of June 23rd between Chinese troops on one side and British and French bluejackets on the other. Revised figures show that forty-three Chinese were killed and about seventy wounded, including soldiers, students, and several women. On the British-French side the casualties were one killed (a French merchant) and five wounded including the Commissioner of the Chinese Maritime Customs, Mr. Edwards, as well as a Japanese merchant and several British bluejackets. As the Department will recall from my telegrams to the Legation the Chinese announced a demonstration against "unequal treaties", foreign concessions, et cetera, for June 23. It was known that this demonstration would pass partly around Shameen, and that it would probably consist of soldiers as well as students and laborers. For these reasons the British and French authorities, as well as other foreigners residing in the Shameen concessions, naturally became apprehensive for their safety. It was realized that the Chinese were greatly excited because of anti-foreign propaganda and that the procession might easily develop into a mob and attack Shameen. Warnings were addressed to the local authorities by the British and French consuls urging that the procession not be permitted to pass near Shameen and that the Chinese Government take every possible precaution to prevent an outbreak. This Consulate General also addressed a communication to the authorities calling attention to anti-foreign propaganda and asking for an assurance that American lives and property would be protected. No reply was received by this office from the Civil Governor, but on the afternoon of June 22 a personal letter came from the Chief of Police to the effect that he was doing everything he could to prevent an outbreak and did not think there would be any disorders. Mr. C. C. Wu, I am informed, gave verbal assurances to the British Consul General that order would be maintained, but as the British and French consuls did not feel that the local authorities could be relied upon to protect the foreign concessions steps were taken for defence in the event of trouble. Barricades were constructed on the back bund facing the native city and machine guns were placed at strategic points. The volunteer corps was also called upon to stand by. The procession appeared about 2:30 p. m. It was orderly and at first consisted only of students, Boy Scouts, laborers, et cetera. For about half an hour it continued to pass Shameen and as there was no sign of trouble onlookers began to breathe with more ease, feeling that the danger of an outbreak was over. It was then observed, however, that soldiers were bringing up the rear of the procession and that they were armed. These troops consisted of Whampoa Cadets and ordinary Cantonese contingents. No actual count could be made but it is estimated there were more than a thousand men in line. Just as the first of the troops reached a point in front of the Victoria Hotel near the British bridge the procession stopped, probably because of some congestion ahead. The troops began to show signs of nervousness and the students and civilians nearby seemed to increase their yelling and waving. Suddenly the soldiers were seen to break their formation and a shot rang out. This was followed by several more in rapid succession, and then a perfect din of rifles and machine guns began. It is impossible to say from which side the first shot was fired. The British and other foreigners are practically unanimous in declaring that a Chinese fired first, but the Chinese assert that the shot came from Shameen. At any rate the firing spread rapidly along the bund and the French were hotly engaged almost immediately after the British. Heavy firing lasted about fifteen minutes, bullets smashing into houses facing the canal and striking the trees and roofs of buildings all over the two concessions. The mystery is that more Europeans were not killed or wounded. A large motorboat from the U. S. S. Asheville happened to be lying off the front bund when the shooting commenced and it was soon filled with refugees who were taken out to the ship. A wounded Japanese civilian was also picked up and carried over to a Japanese destroyer lying off the concessions. Other refugees kept crowding on the front bund and soon the boats from the warships were busy transferring people to the river steamer Honam which had been anchored nearby with this very purpose in view. The Honam sailed early the next morning with several hundred refugees for Hongkong. In the afternoon another steamer left with many women and children so that all who wanted to leave were able to get away. The Chinese section of the Honam's crew had struck and a detail of twelve men from the U. S. S. Asheville assisted the European officers on the run down to Hongkong. All American and British women have left Shameen and so have most of those of other nationalities although a few French and Japanese women and children still remain. A few American women and children continue to live in the missions in the suburbs but these are being urged to go. As can well be imagined the shooting has produced much bitterness and excitement amongst the Chinese who suffered such unexpectedly great losses. There does not seem to be so much feeling against the French although a large proportion of the casualties were evidently inflicted by French machine guns. The British are blamed for starting the shooting. The Japanese had no part in the Canton affair but they are blamed for their part in the Shanghai troubles. The boycott is directed against the British, French, and Japanese but not against the Americans. From their side the English insist that the first shots came from the Chinese and that the British officers did everything in their power to stop the firing as soon as possible. They regret the large number of casualties and especially the killing of students, but point out that the concessions were being attacked by fully armed Chinese soldiers who far outnumbered the European defenders. The students were near the soldiers and probably came under an indirect fire. It is estimated by the French that fully a thousand armed Chinese troops were facing Shameen at the moment the shooting commenced. In addition more troops were seen extended down the native bund. The people on Shameen were afraid that there would be trouble while the parade was passing and the Consuls and naval authorities concerned took every possible precaution to prevent an outbreak, and at the same time safeguard the concessions. Everyone deplores the affair which can only serve to increase the difficulties of an already complicated and dangerous situation. No foreigners have gone into the native city since the shooting and it will probably be a long time before they will find it safe to move about freely, except Germans and Russians who will probably wear arm bands indicating their nationality. In the suburbs conditions are easier for the Chinese are more or less personally acquainted with the foreigners they see there. Business is at a standstill. No steps have been taken as yet to open negotiations for a settlement and it will probably be some days before anything can be done. Every effort is now being directed toward the prevention of another |