793.94/11974: Telegram
The Third Secretary of Embassy in China (Allison) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 5—3:35 p.m.]
4. Arrived Wuhu at 10:30 a.m. at the end of a severe air raid carried out by Chinese planes. Nine Chinese heavy bombers dropped approximately 17 bombs on the airfield and an unknown number at four different places in the city of Wuhu. No American property was damaged and no Americans hurt.
[Page 220]I went ashore with staff and while Espy and McFadyen98 inspected American property elsewhere in company of Reverend L. R. Craighill, I interviewed Dr. R. E. Brown of the Wuhu General Hospital. According to Dr. Brown, during first week of occupation Japanese troops engaged in “ruthless treatment and slaughter of civilians and wanton looting and destruction” of private property in the city. Persons of foreigners have been respected but where property was left unguarded it has usually been pilfered. Japanese Army, Navy and Consular officials called on him separately to apologize for the tearing of an American flag from hospital junk on December 13th. Two American nurses, Miss Frances Culley and Mrs. Wilma May, hope to leave Wuhu for Shanghai January 8th on the steamship Whangpoo.
Standard Vacuum and Texas installations unharmed. Standard installation entered and 14½ tons fuel oil taken by Japanese Navy for which receipt was left. Offices in city of both companies intact but completely rifled. Small safe in Standard Vacuum office broken open and contents gone but cabinet safe unopened. Dollar Company building intact but offices pilfered. Property of American Church and Christian Advent Mission intact and all American occupants safe.
Will submit detailed report by mail.99 Oahu left Wuhu at 2 p.m. and as we are returning, large fires are visible all along south bank of river presumably of Japanese origin.
Sent to Embassy [at] Hankow, repeated Shanghai.