793.94/3927: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:55 p.m.]
Firing between Chinese and Japanese forces in Chapei district continued sporadically throughout last night, the guns opening up in earnest about 9 o’clock this morning. Shells fell near Japanese headquarters at the end of Szechuan Road. Japanese field guns on municipal rifle range returned Chinese fire. Artillery duel accompanied by heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. At 11 a.m. the Japanese cannonading ceased while squadron of Japanese airplanes reconnoitred Chinese gun positions.
According to last report this morning American marines in American sector discovered Japanese civilians signaling Japanese planes, using direction panels. In other words Japanese planes were being directed from neutral Settlement territory. Late this afternoon Japanese cotton mills in both American and British sectors were taken over from the Japanese by American and British marines respectively. Several shells fell in International Settlement, one in French Concession wounding a Chinese. This fire from the Japanese battery on the Chinese position continued until this evening when it was represented that the Japanese had moved to the west of the railroad.
Japanese announced about noon that three destroyers had been fired upon by the Woosung forts. Chinese military officials deny that Woo-sung forts had fired first; and insisted that fort commander had orders not to inaugurate hostilities. They were confident that if any hostilities were started they had been begun by the Japanese. It was reported later that Woosung forts were bombed by an airplane squadron. At 7 o’clock the Japanese Consul reported that Woosung forts had been totally destroyed.
Refugees continue to pour into the Settlement. Fires either from ship or started by incendiaries continue. Yesterday a large valuable Chinese library was bombarded.
The Chinese bankers have decided to open the banks tomorrow; rice and other shops will also open.
Repeated to the Legation and Nanking for information.