893.00/8487: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 30—1:40 p.m.]
The following press report dated Washington, March 30th, received by the China Weekly Review from their Washington correspondent, understood to be J. I. Underwood, has been published here this evening.
“It was explained at the White House today that the President is convinced of the fact that the situation of China is more promising. It is intimated in official circles that there is no purpose in joining in any unified demand of punishment of those guilty in connection with the Nanking incident. Although the Shanghai situation demands cooperation, it was intimated in administration circles that the United States Government did not as yet feel that the China situation demanded the necessity of creating the unified command. Furthermore, it is felt that there is no necessity for additional troops, that is, in addition to those now in China and en route. It was emphasized again at the Department of State that the American forces in China are merely acting in a police capacity and that this does not mean intervention. In reference to the Nanking incident it was stated that it has not been determined the Cantonese were responsible.”
This message not only is disconcerting to Americans here who, whatever their previous opinions, now are awakened to the necessity for strong action by the powers on the Nanking incident in order [Page 97] to check the dominant control of the Nationalist movement by the radical Communist element, but is distinctly encouraging to that radical element now rapidly gaining control of the situation.
I trust the report is incorrect and that I may be instructed to repudiate it. The situation here remains unchanged with the radical and lawless elements holding a large measure of control and Chiang Kai-shek with limited forces taking no drastic measures to suppress them.