793.94/10061: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 14—1:45 p.m.]
708. My No. 697, September 13, 7 p.m.25 Japanese attacks on the Lotien–Woosung and Yangtzepoo fronts have resulted in orderly Chinese withdrawal to a line running from Lotien southeast in a fairly straight line to the North Station in Chapei. Chinese military spokesman referring to withdrawal stated, “as the purpose of our operations has now been accomplished it is no longer necessary for our troops to operate under the guns of the enemy fleet and in accordance with the general strategic plan our forces retired by stages to our first defense line”. Japanese have been shelling Chapei almost continually today but Chinese continue to strengthen their defenses in that area.
- Not printed.↩