793.94/11804: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
104. Following from Shanghai:
“December 24, 6 p.m., Embassy’s December 23, 3 p.m. Information received from foreign correspondents who left Nanking after Japanese entry into the city and from Doctor Bates indicates that Japanese troops entered practically every building in Nanking except those occupied by foreigners and systematically looted residences and shops. There was wholesale plundering of the Chinese who remained in the city including those in the refugee zone and much indiscriminate shooting and killing.
According to reports received both from enforcement officials and from American correspondents, American property was only slightly damaged during hostilities. However, since Japanese entry into the city it is reliably reported that Japanese troops invaded the faculty houses of Ginling College and carried away food and valuables and also entered University Hospital and robbed the Chinese staff.
The Embassy was not damaged but McDaniels53 informed me that Japanese soldiers had attempted to enter garages and take Embassy cars whereupon he had the cars driven out into the compound. I complained of the matter to the Japanese Consul General who came to see me with Hidaka54 who explained measures he initiated while at Nanking for special protection of our Embassy[:] under an understanding with George Fitch55 the Japanese Embassy borrowed three of [Page 415] the Embassy cars, including yours, Peck’s and one other for which they will be responsible. He added he thought them safer in their hands.”
[Sent to?] Peking. Peking please repeat to Tokyo.