893.20 Short, Robert M./6: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 26—9:40 a.m.]
114. My telegram No. 102, February 24, 4 p.m.,7 regarding Robert Short. I am investigating in conjunction with officials of the United States Court for China but have not yet received proof of Short’s death. I received the following letter from Japanese Consulate General dated February 24th:
“I have the honor to bring to your notice the reports appearing in today’s issue of the China Press and the Shanghai Times that Lieutenant Robert Short, an American airman, was shot down over Soochow in his aerial fight in a Chinese plane, with Japanese naval planes on the afternoon of the 22nd instant, after he had killed Lieutenant S. Kotani of the Japanese Navy in one of the Japanese planes.
If these reports are true, I am constrained to call your attention to the matter in the hope that you might see fit to consider the advisability of taking such necessary steps as will forestall the repetition of similar cases.”
I am replying today merely acknowledging receipt and stating that I am investigating the matter and will address him further at a later date.
If and when facts are established, as I believe they will be, to show that Short was enlisted or at least fighting on Chinese side I intend, unless the Department sees objection thereto, to inform Japanese Consulate General of the position of the American Government as stated in section 4090 of the United States Revised Statutes.
Repeated to the Legation and Nanking for information. Copy to American Minister.
- Not printed.↩