793.94/3929: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:39 p.m.]
Following is translation of letter from Mayor addressed to me as American Consul General, dated February 2nd, received February 3rd. Protest to Japanese Consul General referred to in penultimate sentence is published in local English language press this morning.
“It is a matter of record that I communicated with you on the subject of invasion of Chapei by the Japanese Navy. Subsequently with a view to preservation of peace and avoidance of hostilities, your good self and the British Consul General invited the Chinese and Japanese authorities as well as the commanders of foreign defense forces to a conference at the residence of the British Consulate General on January 31st when, after the commander of the British defense force suggested the ways and means of avoiding conflict between the opposing armies, it was agreed that the Japanese Consul General should ask the Japanese Government for instructions in three days; that, in the event of the Japanese Government being unable to accept the suggested terms, this municipality should seek the instructions of my Government; and that, during the period when instructions are to be sought, neither party should attack the other. These are all on record which [Page 199] is open to inspection. Since that conference was held, however, the Japanese troops have repeatedly attacked defending forces by surprise. This state of affairs continued until 2:50 p.m. today when my office received suddenly a telephone message from the Japanese Consulate General informing me of the inability of the Japanese Government to accept the suggested terms as indicated above. This has caused me no little astonishment. Furthermore, the Japanese troops resumed offensive on the Chinese forces in Chapei even advancing before the Japanese Consulate General’s notice was received by this municipality and they arbitrarily bombarded that area by the use of airplanes. Inasmuch as Japan has violated her pledge and resumed offensive regardless of the safety of the lives of the Chinese people and foreign residents within the municipality of Shanghai, it is the Government of Japan that shall undertake all responsibilities. Having lodged a memorandum with the Japanese Consul General, I have to bring the foregoing to your attention. It is trusted that you will take note accordingly and uphold justice. (Signed) Wu Te-chen, Mayor.”
Repeated to the Legation and Nanking for information.