793.94/7564: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 24—2:30 p.m.]
790. 1. The situation described in my Dec. 24, noon, and Dec. 24, 3 p.m. has not improved. Police sources say number of students at North Station has increased. Pamphlets thrown from trucks in front of barracks irritated Japanese landing forces and led Japanese Consul General to protest to Settlement and Chinese authorities. Students also demonstrated in Nanking and Range Roads areas in Settlement, resisting police. A number of students, including some girls, reported injured.
2. Because of reports that communistic elements are active among the students, the Chinese authorities have let it be known that they are prepared to take forceful measures if necessary. Agents of the Social Bureau of Chinese Municipality and presidents of various universities are said to be endeavoring to persuade the students to disperse. In the event of failure, it is reported the Chinese authorities will supply trains to take students out of Shanghai. About 400 students held a meeting this afternoon in the Chinese Y. M. C. A. on Szechuan Road. The management has been warned by the police that such meetings must cease.
3. The Shanghai Municipal Police have taken special precautions to meet emergencies, reserves are on duty at the Hongkew Police Station and two platoons of the Russian detachment of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps [have] been [assigned to?] the Hongkew and West Hongkew stations, respectively while four platoons are being held in readiness for service. Reinforcements of Chinese troops at the North Station from the Peace Preservation Corps are prepared to include 200 men armed with machine guns, rifles and Mausers. The troops already at the station are understood to be armed with bamboo poles. The Japanese naval landing party have increased the strength of the police authorities this afternoon.
Repeated to the Department and Nanking.