Office of the Historian

793.94/3724: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, January 30, 1932—4 p.m.
[Received January 30—8:40 a.m.]
[1.]
The Chairman of the Municipal Council has filed with the Senior Consul a protest against the operations of the Japanese military forces ashore in substance as follows:
(1)
General protest against violation of neutrality of the Settlement.
(2)
The use of the Settlement as a base of operations by the Japanese forces against the Chinese forces.
(3)
The interference and sending of Japanese troops into the sector set apart for the other nations in the defense scheme which was agreed to by the Japanese. This protest with special reference to the sector occupied by the American forces which, according to a report to informant, is patrolled by Japanese patrols over the protest of the American commanding officer. Also with particular reference to the area of the International Settlement bounded by Honan Road, Range Road and Hongkew Creek, where Japanese in plain clothes are interfering with the duties of the municipal police.
2.
The complaint of the Chairman against Japanese is well founded. Similar complaints have been made several times by the Chinese members of the Municipal Council. Protests have been received from individual Americans as well as from the commander of the American marines ashore who claims that although the International Settlement is divided into sectors the Japanese completely disregard the division so far as the American sector is concerned and are constantly encroaching upon his division.
3.
Now there [Council?] faces very difficult question to handle. It is full of bristling difficulties that require tact, early settlement, discretion and therefore instructions for my guidance before 8 o’clock tomorrow morning will be greatly appreciated.

Repeated to the Legation.

Cunningham