793.94/12426: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 15—12:47 p.m.]
259. Since February 12 the Japanese each day have been despatching small patrols consisting of from 2 to 12 soldiers in charge of a junior or noncommissioned officer into the International Settlement area south of Soochow Creek. These patrols march up Nanking Road, circumvent Thibet Road, and by Peiping Road to the Bund and back to Hongkew.
I am informed by the intelligence officer of the 4th Marines that according to the Shanghai municipal police the Japanese did not notify them of their intention to despatch such patrols into the Settlement and that upon bringing the matter to the attention of the Japanese military authorities the police were informed that the Japanese were merely exercising the same right as is enjoyed by the other foreign defense forces of sending out patrols to protect their respective military details. In the area south of Soochow Creek Japanese details consist of an occasional Japanese military truck, despatch rider or staff car.
[Page 94]On three occasions these patrols upon reaching the junction of Bubbling Well Road and Thibet Road have sought to march up Bubbling Well Road which is within the American defense sector. In each instance they have been courteously turned back by the United States Marines on duty at this point.
No serious incidents have occurred thus far but it would not be surprising if Chinese special service agents or terrorists attempted to bomb these patrols whose presence south of Soochow Creek is extremely provocative.
Repeated to Hankow and Peiping.