793.94/10087: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 16—2:30 a.m.]
711. Following communication has today been addressed mutatis mutandis to the Commander in Chief Japanese Third Fleet and to Mayor of Greater Shanghai by American, British, French, Italian and Netherlands Naval Commanders at Shanghai: [Page 330]
“For the past month the population of the International Settlement south of Soochow Creek and the French Concession have been subjected to the dangers of anti-aircraft fire and many people have been killed and wounded. This danger is brought about by the planes of both of the opposing forces flying over or very close to the International Settlement. Under such circumstances it is inevitable that a large amount of the anti-aircraft missiles land in the Settlement with the resultant killing and wounding of large numbers of noncombatants who are taking no part in this unhappy strife. We request and urge that steps be taken by those in command of the Japanese (Chinese) forces to prevent their planes from flying over or near the International Settlement, and to direct their anti-aircraft fire in such a manner as to avoid killing of innocent non-combatants. Similar representations are being made to the Japanese (Chinese) authorities.”
The texts are being released to the press.
Sent to Department; repeated to Nanking and Tokyo.