793.94/9901: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11 p.m.]
652. The Reverend H. S. Smith of the American Church Mission who arrived in Shanghai this morning from Changshu, 50 miles northwest of Shanghai, reports that Japanese bombing of the city within the past week has been so severe that the Chinese inhabitants have been forced to scatter into the surrounding country. He describes these raids as indiscriminate bombings of all sections of the city accompanied by ruthless machine gunning of all the principal streets from a very low altitude. According to Mr. Smith, the property of the American Church mission which is located in the northeastern section of the city and is clearly marked has not been damaged thus far although one bomb fell within 50 yards of the premises. Property of the Methodist Episcopal Church was also intact although three bombs had exploded around the premises. Mr. W. M. Smith and son, of the Methodist Episcopal Church refuse to evacuate Changshu according to Mr. Smith but were forced by the severity of the bombing to take refuge in the country. Mr. Smith reached Shanghai with the greatest difficulty and reports that Japanese planes are systematically bombing and machine gunning all traffic on canals, roads and railways. No other Americans in Changshu.