793.94/4072: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 9—6:10 a.m.]
20. Following is translation made by this office of a letter in Chinese only from Mayor Wu dated February 8th addressed to the American Consul General and delivered late last night. A translation was published in this morning’s press:
“With reference to the permission of the Settlement authorities for the Japanese troops to use, or their failure to prevent them from using, the Settlement area as a base of attack upon the Chinese forces, I have the honor to state that I have lodged a strong protest with the Municipal Council of the International Settlement and declared that the Settlement authorities should bear all responsibilities consequent thereupon. This is a matter of record but, since the Settlement authorities have not asked or yet adopted any effective measure to prevent the use thereof although they are fully aware of the fact that the above-described action of the Japanese forces would serve to destroy the neutrality of the Settlement and endanger the lives and property of the Chinese people, I am constrained to request that you, and the Consuls General of other powers issue strict instructions to the Municipal Council to adopt immediately effective measures to curb the activities of the Japanese forces as stated above. At the same time, I solemnly declare that my Government would accept no responsibility whatsoever for any damage that may be done to the lives and property of foreign residents when, for the purpose of self-defense, an attack [is?] made by the Chinese troops upon the Japanese forces utilizing the Settlement as a base of military operations. Besides communication with the other authorities, I have to transmit this despatch for your information, (signed) Wu Te-chen, Mayor.”
A copy is being sent to commander in chief. Comments will follow after consultation with British and some other colleagues.
Repeated to the Legation and Nanking.