793.94/4073: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 9—7:30 a.m.]
21. Local press published February 8th following reply from Chairman [of] Municipal Council to Mayor Wu dated February 6th. Municipal Council states text is authentic: [Page 260]
“I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated January 30 and February 3, 1932, in which you state that the Council has not imposed any restraint upon or in the alternative has permitted the armed forces of Japan to use the International Settlement as a base of operations against Chinese troops, and protest that this constitutes a breach of the neutrality of the Settlement for which the Council will be held responsible.
In reply I have the honor to state that whatever condition of neutrality of the International Settlement, or condition resembling it, may exist can only have been created by convention or agreement between the various powers or states having political or other interests in the Settlement. Such a condition of neutrality of the Settlement can therefore only be maintained and guaranteed by these same powers and states.
Japan is one of these powers and the Japanese Government and not the Municipal Council is solely responsible for the acts of the Japanese armed forces in the Settlement.
I regret that the disturbed state of affairs has prevented me from making an earlier reply.”
Following is published translation of further protest from Mayor Wu to Chairman dated February 6th. Municipal Council states translation is substantially correct.
“With reference to the use by Japanese marines of the International Settlement area as a base of attack on Chinese troops, my previous protest, in which you were urged to take effective means to prevent recurrence of such practice I trust is receiving your attention.
According to unquestionable report, a very large body of Japanese troops, which arrived in Shanghai yesterday, were landed at a point inside the Settlement and from which they were later dispatched to various other parts preparatory to launching an attack on Chinese troops to the detriment of the Settlement’s peace and order. Such tolerance on your part towards the Japanese troops is beyond our understanding. Therefore, I am constrained again to forward you this protest. In order to prevent misunderstanding on the part of our people I earnestly request that the matter be given your prompt attention with the view that effective means may be taken at once for the forceful suppression of such acts.
Further reports are to the effect that yet other large contingents of Japanese forces are expected within the next few days. It is hoped that you will, in strict accordance with your declaration of neutrality, refuse to allow the landing of any Japanese armed force in the International Settlement area in the future.”
Repeated to the Legation and Nanking.