793.94/9596: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 23—8:45 a.m.]
538. My 530, August 21, 8 p.m.53 Japanese military at press conference this morning announced the arrival and landing “at several places around Shanghai” during the night and early this morning of Japanese troops. The above is confirmed by foreign military observers who believe that Japanese troops are being landed at Woosung under cover of heavy naval barrage and that landing has been made or is being attempted at Liuho approximately 15 miles up Yangtze River from Woosung. Exact number of troops not known but estimates vary from 15 to 30,000.
Military spokesman mentioned said that Japanese troops would immediately take the offensive and attempt to cut off Chinese retreat. It is therefore probable that large scale Japanese offensive operations will take place in and around Shanghai within the next day or two unless the Chinese rapidly withdraw to prepared positions said to be 25 or 30 miles west of Shanghai.
Sent to the Department, Nanking and Peiping.
- Not printed.↩