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Statement by the White House on January 31, 1932
A conference was held by the President today with the Secretaries of State, War and Navy, Under Secretary of State Castle, Chief of Staff General MacArthur, and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Pratt. The request of the American Consul General Cunningham and our naval officers at Shanghai for still further protection of American citizens in the International Settlement at Shanghai was considered.
Directions have been given to send to Shanghai the 31st Regiment of about 1000 men now at Manila together with 400 Marines on the transport Chaumont leaving tomorrow. The cruiser Houston and 6 destroyers left Manila this morning for Shanghai.
With these additions to the marines already there the total American forces in the Settlement will number to about 2800. As soon as conditions permit the troops will be returned to Manila.