793.94/9887: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 3—3:03 p.m.]
597. Little change reported on the Liukue [Liuho?]-Woosung front. Japanese offensive has not yet commenced, apparently waiting on the landing of additional troops and artillery.
The comparative quiet which has prevailed in the Settlement and French Concession during the past few days was shattered this morning by a heavy exchange of fire. Chinese rifle, machine gun and artillery fire was directed from the Pootung area against the Japanese ship, the Japanese Consulate was hit by several shells, wounding a Japanese policeman and press correspondent, and a Japanese transport tied up near the Consulate was also damaged. In reply the Japanese flagship has subjected Pootung to a heavy bombardment for the past 6 hours from a point almost immediately in front of Garden Bridge and about 300 yards from the U. S. S. Augusta. Many buildings, wharves and godowns on the Pootung foreshore immediately opposite the Bund have been destroyed and set on fire while fragments of shells and machine gun and rifle bullets in considerable numbers have fallen in the Settlement south of Soochow Creek.