811.5034 China—Searchlight Publishing Co./20: Telegram

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

357. Department’s 230, July 30, 9 [2] p.m. Department’s cable is very much garbled but believe amplification by [my?] 353, July 29, 5 p.m.20 furnishes information desired. Isaacs was called into the Consulate General and in the presence of District Attorney Sellett and Consul Smyth I read in extenso and verbatim Department’s 223, July 20, 4 p.m., to Isaacs. I made few comments though Sellett commented, enlarging upon the previous conversations with Isaacs and he explained Isaacs’ report that he had made in the Forum of previous interview. To my astonishment the local press carried, apparently upon Isaacs’ apparent statement, an incorrect interpretation of the interview.

I am of the opinion that he intended to seek notoriety and sympathy.

There has never been any mention made of his personally being deprived of extraterritorial rights.

As a precaution I made this morning an appointment with the Mayor for tomorrow when I intend to give to him in Confidence a copy of my statement to Isaacs and verbally to warn the Mayor that there was no intention to waive the extraterritorial rights that Isaacs has.

Through the New York Times and its correspondent in Shanghai his father has urged Isaacs to return to the United States. Isaacs has replied that he “did not believe in turning the other cheek or showing his heels to the enemy.”

Cunningham
  1. Not printed.