793.94/3606: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham)
Washington, January 25, 1932—6
p.m.
Your January 22, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- The Department approves the interpretation placed by you upon the functions and responsibilities of (a) the Shanghai Municipal Council, (b) the Consular Body and (c) the various powers concerned in relation to the administration of the International Settlement, in connection with the problems presented by the current situation at Shanghai. The Department also approves the action taken by you and commends you for your prompt and able handling of the situation. Such interpretation and action conform with the Department’s existing instructions (see Department’s telegram to Legation No. 47, February 5, 1930, 6 p.m.,50 circularized as enclosure to Legation’s circular No. 7, February 14, 1930, section 3, in reference to the International Settlement), which were based upon the international character of the International Settlement and were directed toward preserving the administrative integrity of that area.
- 2.
- Department regards insistence upon rights and responsibilities of the Consular Body and the Municipal Council in the field of administration as fully warranted and constantly desirable.
- 3.
- Department will send special instruction to Legation shortly in relation to the above.
- 4.
- Repeat this telegram to Peiping as Dept’s 25 and to Nanking as No. 8.
Stimson