793.94/9771: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 29—5:40 a.m.]
596. I find that in the pressure of the past week I have omitted to inform the Department of the following pro forma exchanges which I now summarize to complete the record.
[Page 492]Communication dated August 14th from the Mayor of Greater Shanghai to me and to other consular representatives stated that Japanese armed forces had attacked and invaded Chinese territory; that measures of self defense had been adopted but that in pursuance of the established policy of the Chinese Government adequate protection would be accorded to all foreign life and property in areas under Chinese control. The Mayor stated however that the Chinese military requested the Settlement authorities to restrain the Japanese forces from using the Settlement as a base of operations and that in the event the Settlement was so used no responsibility would be assumed for such consequences as might arise from measures taken by Chinese troops in self-defense.
On August 15th Senior Consul made oral representations to both Chinese and Japanese informing them that the consular representatives concerned must continue to hold both sides responsible for any loss or injury to foreign national interests arising out of the present conflict; requested both sides to refrain from using the foreign areas as bases for military operations; and protested the flying of Chinese and Japanese planes over these areas and the bombing and firing consequent thereto.