793.94/3846: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 1—10:23 p.m.]
Following urgent message was received from Japanese Consulate General February 2, 1932:
“At the request of Admiral Shiozawa the Japanese Consulate General begs to bring to your notice the following:
‘In spite of the truce agreed effective as from January 29, 8 p.m. Chinese troops have continuously attacked Japanese positions more particularly from the evening of January 31 with artillery and rifles. At about 11:30 the same evening one of the cannon shots fell near the Admiral’s flagship which is moored alongside of the Japanese Consulate General. On February 1st from 1 to 5 p.m. the Chinese troops near Wangpan Road fired volley after volley with their machine guns and rifles.’
It has become evident that Chinese troops are unceasingly massing their forces with the view to completely surrounding the Japanese. To acquiesce in the situation is to expose the Japanese community to perilous dangers. It is my present plan to use some aeroplanes for reconnaissance in order to ascertain the situation as our apprehension seems to be momentarily substantiated.”
Repeated to the Legation and Nanking.