Office of the Historian

793.94/9822: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, August 31, 1937—6 p.m.
[Received August 31—11:40 a.m.]

620. Reference my No. 548, August 24, 5 p.m. and Nanking’s No. 563, August 30, 4 p.m., opinions here differ as to the probable weight of the bomb, but the weight of the evidence continues to point to Chinese responsibility. Reports of Navy and United States Marines observers have been forwarded by mail. My British colleague tells me unofficially and confidentially that the British naval authorities are also of the opinion that the responsibility is with Chinese.

Sent to the Department and Nanking.

Gauss