793.94/11475: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 5—1:20 p.m.]
1093. Your 613, December 4, 1 p.m. I have been endeavoring to ascertain and report exact facts. I enjoy cordial relations with the principal press correspondents, find them helpful and cooperative, have given them information and assistance where possible and proper, [Page 390] have carefully avoided crediting sensational reports, and have noted no disposition on their part to do so.
The incident concerning the Marines and the Japanese was reported in the last sentence of the first paragraph of my number 1081, December 3, 8 [5?] p.m.28 on the basis of information from the United States Marine intelligence officer who was with Colonel Price and informed me at his request of what had occurred. I have seen Colonel Price since receiving your No. 613. He tells me there was no peremptory demand and no threat. He informed the Japanese officer that his sentries had extended into the American sector and were blocking traffic with no apparent good reason and inquired why this was done. The Japanese officer apparently became [aware?] for the first time that he was extending into the American sector and stated that his men would be withdrawn immediately. This was done.