793.94/3851: Telegram
The Consul General at Nanking (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:42 p.m.]
25. Following is my translation of note addressed to the American Minister, received January 31, 10 p.m., from the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs: [Page 169]
“January 31, 1932.
Excellency: I have the honor to state that the municipal government of Shanghai has reported by telegraph that there was recently held in the International Settlement a meeting to devise defense measures, the participants being the Municipal Council and the British, American and French military commanders, and that although publicity was not given to the decision of the meeting regarding the allotment of areas for defense, nevertheless the Japanese Consul asserted in a public statement that the meeting designated by [sic] the section of territory east of the Shanghai-Woosung Railway as the one to be defended by Japanese troops; moreover, the commander of the Shanghai-Woosung Defense Force has reported by telegraph that in the International Settlement the area south of Soochow Creek and west of Pilinhu has hitherto been guarded by British and American forces and whereas on the present occasion when a state of emergency was declared, British troops were assigned to guard this area, nevertheless, on the afternoon of January 30 Japanese troops suddenly replaced the British troops, and the Japanese troops openly utilized the area in question as a base of military operations.
I have the honor to observe that the Chapei area, east of the Shanghai-Woosung Railway, is purely Chinese-controlled territory, invasion of which by the troops of another nation is, of course, not permissible. If the reported meeting to devise defense measures attended by the Municipal Council and the American, British, and French military commanders did actually designate that area for defense by Japanese forces, it was quite evidently an act which violated China’s sovereignty and further, the Chinese Government regards it as most surprising that permission was granted to Japan to establish a base for military operations in the territory of the International Settlement.
I have the honor to request that Your Excellency will at once issue telegraphic instructions to the American Consul General and to the officer in command of the American military forces, Shanghai, to put a stop at once to the military operations of the Japanese Army in the Chapei district and no longer to permit the Japanese forces to utilize the territory of the International Settlement for attacks on Chinese controlled areas.
I have the honor to hope that Your Excellency will take note of these requests and will act upon them with all speed and return a reply, (signed) Lo Wen-kan.”