793.94/5526: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
383. My telegram No. 377, August 27, noon.
- 1.
- Following are principal developments in local Sino-Japanese situation during past week: Mayor Wu issued declaration September [Page 223] 1st declaring he is determined to suppress lawlessness with all lawful means at his disposal and will spare no efforts to curb the activities of the rumor mongers. He calls on all citizens to support him in his efforts. Declaration has been well received by Chinese and foreign press.
- 2.
- On August 31st and again on night of September 2nd Japanese marines in trucks on Nanking Road seized Chinese in retaliation for alleged insults and it was only through prompt and efficient action of the Settlement police that Chinese escaped being taken to Japanese headquarters.
In my opinion the action of these Japanese marines in trucks parading through streets in Settlement and outlying districts is provocative and utterly unwarranted. (I am convinced that no pressure that can be brought to bear locally will succeed in stopping it.) I am informed Japanese marines are again occupying Japanese mills in American defense sector. Repeated to the Legation for information.
Cunningham
- Telegram in two sections.↩