893.102S/1395
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose for the information of the Department copies of Consul General Gauss’ unnumbered despatch of July 26, 1936, to the Embassy, my instruction to him of July 30, his Unnumbered despatch of August 3, and my instruction of August 13,83 relating to the establishment of Japanese naval patrols in certain sections of the American and British defense sectors at Shanghai without notification to the Shanghai Municipal Police or to the commanding officer of the American and British forces.
Mr. Gauss reported in his despatch of July 26 that there were numerous Japanese residents in the areas where the Japanese patrols were functioning and that the patrols were undoubtedly sent into those areas to assure the Japanese residents of adequate protection additional to that provided by the Municipal Police following the excitement caused by the recent killing of a Japanese subject named Kayau. Mr. Gauss stated that courtesy should have dictated that the Commanding Officer of the Japanese Naval Landing Party notify the Shanghai Municipal Police or the American and British commanding officers of his intention to establish patrols in sections of their defense areas and of his reasons therefor. Colonel Price of the Fourth Marines [Page 688] consulted Mr. Gauss on July 24 and informed him that he proposed, subject to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet, to address a courteous letter to the Commanding Officer of the Japanese Naval Landing Party requesting information as to the reasons for the presence of the Japanese patrols in the American sector. Mr. Gauss told Colonel Price that he would be in accord with his proposal if he would preface his inquiry with the statement that, while no state of emergency existed under which he had taken up the defense of the sector assigned to the American forces under the defense plan, he was, nevertheless, interested at all times to know of military dispositions in that sector and for that reason made his inquiry. Colonel Price accepted the suggestion.
The Embassy informed Mr. Gauss in its instruction of July 30 that it approved his suggestion to Colonel Price.
Mr. Gauss reported in his despatch of August 3 that the proposed letter was sent by Colonel Price, under authorization of Admiral Murfin,84 to the Commanding Officer of the Japanese Naval Landing Party and resulted in a visit from the Chief of Staff of the Japanese force, who explained the reason for the establishment of the patrol—the uneasiness in the Japanese community following the killing of Kayau and the desire on the part of the Japanese naval authorities to make a gesture of reassurance to Japanese nationals—and stated that the Japanese authorities regretted that they had overlooked giving the Marines information on the subject. Mr. Gauss stated that he had been informed by the Intelligence Officer of the Fourth Marines that the Japanese patrol had been withdrawn from the American sector but that a patrol at the Toyoda Mill, adjoining the British sector, continued to be maintained. Mr. Gauss said that the action taken by Colonel Price seemed to have had the desired effect of reminding the Japanese that they were intruding on the American sector without the usual polite notification and of inducing an expression of regret over their omission.
Respectfully yours,