Office of the Historian

393.115/61: Telegram

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

Shanghai, September 16, 1937—6 p.m.
[Received September 16—5:42 p.m.]

718. Reference my No. 667, September 7, 8 p.m. and Tokyo’s No. 361, September 11, noon. There has been little if any improvement in situation regarding facilities to American businessmen to have access to their property and to remove cargo from the Northern District. Foreign residents are now being given passes to enter the area and remove bedding and clothing but nothing more.

2.
General Chamber of Commerce has made representations on the subject to the Consular Body which is again urging the matter on the Japanese Consul General.
3.
Shanghai Municipal Council is experiencing greatest difficulty in endeavoring to move food supplies from the Northern District. These supplies are needed by both foreign and Chinese population. It was intimated to the Council last evening that removal of food supplies for Chinese population would not be permitted. One-third of the rice supply needed for Chinese population is now stored in the northern area. A food shortage is likely to lead to a serious situation amongst the over-crowded and heavily increased Chinese population of the foreign areas. There is little if any chance of any such supplies reaching the Chinese Army. It is believed that the attitude above indicated has been dictated by the Japanese military.
4.
At a meeting this afternoon of the American and British members of the Municipal Council, the American and British Admirals, and the American and British Consuls General, it was agreed that action should be taken to urge upon the Japanese authorities the right of foreign nationals to have reasonable access to their property and to remove cargo and supplies from the Northern District.
5.
While the matter here is handled by the Japanese Consul General who is believed to be well disposed, he is of course under direction of the Japanese military and naval authorities and can divulge only what they permit him to do.

Repeated to Department. Repeated to Nanking and Tokyo.

Gauss