793.94/3673: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 28—8:50 a.m.]
My telegram of January 27, 2 p.m., paragraph 2.
After careful consideration I believe that an American naval vessel should be stationed on the Whangpoo in the vicinity of the Shanghai Power Company’s plant and American oil companies’ installations, and another naval vessel near the Dollar Steamship wharf which is located upriver on the Pootung side. In making this recommendation I have in mind Department’s telegram No. 419, December 18, 7 p.m., 1929, to the Legation, Peiping.62 The effect, however, of naval vessels at points mentioned would be to deter possible communist disorders particularly among laborers of Shanghai Power Company, and also be a protection in the event of Sino-Japanese disturbance. As there is only one American naval vessel here at present I recommend that such additional vessels be despatched as the naval authorities consider proper.
Repeated to the Legation.