693.9412/298: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State

377. My 369, August 18, 4 p.m.,32 regarding boycott. Local Sino-Japanese situation remains substantially the same. Threatening letters and bombs continue to be received at Chinese shops allegedly [Page 210] dealing in Japanese [goods?]. However, in only one instance during the past week has bomb exploded causing damage. Japanese marines are patrolling nightly in Hongkew area and are also making trips to Kiangwan and Chapei allegedly for sight-seeing purposes. Mayor has protested against these trips and Japanese authorities are stated to have replied that such sight-seeing trips had been agreed to at the time of Japanese withdrawal. Japanese Chargé d’Affaires has gone to Nanking, in connection with local situation. The feeling is steadily growing that affairs are drifting to a condition resembling that of Japan last April. The various departments concerned in Shanghai Municipal Council are undergoing a general tightening-up process, the reasons given being strikes and boycott.

Repeated to the Legation.

Cunningham
  1. Not printed.