793.94/3666: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:30 p.m.]
Continuing my January 25, 5 p.m., and previous telegrams, Secretary General of Shanghai Municipal Council states in reply to [Page 74] my inquiry as to whether it were necessary to increase naval forces here at once that “Were I in your place I would bring to Shanghai everything the Government will give you.”
Being somewhat in doubt I consulted Colonel Hooker, Commander of the United States Marine Corps who, after contact with his corresponding colleagues of other nationalities yesterday, stated that he considers present forces adequate to meet existing conditions within the Settlement even if state of emergency is declared. I hesitate to agree with the Secretary General at this moment though it is certain that there are potentialities in local conditions which might develop very quickly and which would unquestionably tax the capacity of the United States Navy to give protection to lives and property and contribute America’s share in preserving the integrity of the International Settlement as a place of refuge and business by several [numerous?] American nationals.
However in view of the existing most serious conditions I desire to submit the following remarks for the consideration of the Commander in Chief, Legation and Department:
- 1.
- Pruynges was murdered on January 24th in daylight at the hands of the military in the literal shadow of military headquarters at Lunghwa while he was on an open road and probably after receiving permission of the soldier or his associates to pass.
- 2.
- There are some 17,000 soldiers in Chinese territory within a radius of 7 miles, to include Woosung this number would be larger, who are unpaid, undisciplined and inadequately commissioned but with loaded guns murderously characteristic of youths [who] are anxious to hear them boom.
- 3.
- This army is largely composed of very young boys. They have penetrated most secluded spots on and off highways and are constantly challenging travelers in a way which endangers the very lives of those who venture outside of the Settlement. There are numerous instances of incidents being narrowly averted which it is unnecessary to itemize. Many American citizens within 10 miles of Shanghai have had narrow escapes including members of my own staff who had not ventured far afield.
- 4.
- With considerable rapidity barbed wire and other entanglements are being constructed by the Chinese outside the border of the Settlement on municipal roads. These but inspire self-confidence of Chinese which would be dangerous should it become necessary to rescue American citizens from these districts and the necessity for rescue is by no means unlikely.
- 5.
- There are millions of soldiers scattered throughout China many [Page 75] of whom are without pay and who characteristically have no recognized head. These may become at any time armed bandits who will menace any district they happen to reach.
- 6.
- There is no government at the capital of the country which is recognized as having authority to take command of either civil or military situation.
- 7.
- There are 60,000 Chinese employed in Japanese cotton mills in and contiguous to the Settlement, 20 percent of whom are on strike. There are at least a quarter of a million persons employed in other industrial concerns. It is certain that communist activities are very great and in the event of a clash it will be an order for Communists to get in different kinds [of] work and possibly disturb industrial conditions materially, thus throwing a large class out of employment which would be a potential cause of breach of law and order.
- 8.
- For consideration of Minister, Commander in Chief and Department: Should a state of emergency be declared the senior officer would have peculiar relations and influence if not authority in his contacts with forces on land. Some recognized liaison head prevents confusion, duplication action. At the present moment the senior military officer is Japanese. The question would appear to have more than local importance and my reason for mentioning it is that it is prominently displayed in this morning’s North China Daily News.
- 9.
- Martial law was declared in Chinese territory at 6 p.m. on the 21st and continued until 6 p.m. the 23rd and has been declared from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. each night since that date.
Repeated to Legation.