Office of the Historian

793.94/4067: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, February 8, 1932—7 p.m.
[Received February 9—2 a.m.]

18. Continuing my daily report of February 7, 4 [5?] p.m., No. 11.

1.
In Chapei the Japanese attempted to locate by aeroplane a field-piece of the Chinese at 10:30 this morning but were apparently unable to do so and the fieldpiece continued its bombardment to which the Japanese replied. The Japanese are apparently hesitating to attack Chapei in force until the complete capture of Woosung is effected. Also visibility is bad at present time. The Japanese are apparently using a battery recently brought ashore. Their guns extend over the Chapei front for about 2 miles and the number of pieces is estimated to be about 10. As a result of Japanese artillery fire the Chinese military barracks behind north station building were set afire and continued to burn throughout last night. Japanese precautions against permitting pedestrians to proceed beyond Range Road have been intensified during past 24 hours.
2.
It has been reported but not confirmed that the Japanese have captured Woosung Village. So far the Japanese have been unable to take Woosung forts due to strong resistance of Chinese. Japanese have entrenched themselves on south side of Woosung Creek. Japanese hold all positions on Shanghai side of creek and have established their headquarters in the workshops of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway. It is estimated they have about 2,600 men at this point. This force is being augmented by troops arriving from the Shanghai side by boat. Harbormaster reports 33 Japanese war vessels and transports including 3 large cruisers off Woosung, 9 of which are taking part in the bombardment. He expressed fear that in the exchange of fire Chinese shells may explode the powder magazine at Maluchiao. Heavy fighting took place all morning between Chinese and Japanese troops across Woosung Creek. It is reported that 800 Japanese troops disembarked near Woosung on evening of February 7th.
3.
The Thirty-first Infantry, United States Army, has been assigned [Page 256] the Central District territory bounded on south by the French Concession, on the north by Soochow Creek, on the east by Honan Road and on the west by Myburgh and Mohawk Roads. They are billeted at the race course and New World Building with headquarters at the latter. The Shanghai Volunteer Corps will continue to hold the front sector bounded by North Honan Road and the Settlement boundary and from the railway district to the Soochow Creek, also the district bounded by Honan Road on the west, Soochow Creek on the north, Whangpoo on the west [east] and Avenue the [Edward] Seventh on the south.
4.
With the exception of a few shells falling into the Settlement things have remained fairly quiet. After observing Chinese New Year holidays by suspending business on February 6th the markets are gradually resuming business, a few stalls having reopened yesterday and today.

Repeated to Legation at Peiping, Nanking and Tokyo for information.

Cunningham