793.94/3696: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 29—7:38 a.m.]
148. Following telegram has been sent to Shanghai:
“January 29, 3 p.m. Your January 27, 2 p.m., January 28, 2 p.m., and January 28, 6 p.m. Legation approves handling of delicate situation which has developed in Shanghai and hopes that no effort will be spared to prevent volunteers and Settlement authorities becoming involved in what is primarily a quarrel between Japanese and Chinese.
Telegrams from commander in chief up to 6 a.m. this morning report occupation of Chapei by Japanese and bombardment of Woosung by Japanese naval vessels. I understand from your January 28, 2 p.m. that Japanese are respecting neutrality of Settlement, Japanese Admiral having waived rights of senior officer in connection with Settlement defense, so that question raised in paragraph 8 of your January 27, 2 p.m., has been satisfactorily met.
I am particularly alarmed at suggestion made to Secretary General of Council, reported in your January 28, 2 p.m., that the Settlement police should undertake policing of territory occupied by Japanese. I am anxious that we should avoid any step that might involve us in these matters and I believe that at Shanghai you should use every occasion to persuade Municipal Council against taking any such step.”