393.11/1053: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Perkins) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 9—9:05 a.m.]
28. Department’s 419, December 18, 6 [7] p.m.,49 was repeated to the American Consul at Shanghai with the additional statement made in the Department’s 434, December 30, 6 [7] p.m.50 Consul General has replied as follows:
“January 8, 5 p.m. I am very glad to receive for its guidance the clear statement of policy in regard to the protection of public utilities in Shanghai. The responsibility for the protection of public utilities necessarily rests with the municipal police in the first instance but when there existed fear that this should be inadequate in the past the responsibility for protection of privately owned utilities has been considered to be upon the forces of the nation concerned if available. The policy enumerated in the Legation’s instruction is regarded as indeed equitable, but I venture the suggestion that during periods when conditions are tense the presence of an American or other foreign naval vessel at an anchorage nearby would have a very excellent moral effect. Though anchored at buoys frequently used it might even render unnecessary display of great protective force by police.”