793.94/12449: Telegram

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

272. Reference penultimate paragraph my 259, February 15, 5 p.m. I am informed by intelligence officer of the 4th Marines that Lieutenant Colonel Oka of the Japanese Military Attaché’s office called this morning at Marine Headquarters and apologized for attempts made by Japanese patrols to enter the American defense sector. He said that these attempts had been made due to ignorance and added that instructions had now been issued to all patrols to refrain from entering the defense sector. Colonel Oka inquired regarding the possibility of Japanese patrols entering some sections of the American sector by mutual arrangement but was informed by Colonel Price43 [Page 96] that he was not in favor of such arrangement, that such patrols were unnecessary and would merely cause friction and provocation whereupon Colonel Oka dropped the matter.

Japanese patrols twice a day continue to march through the downtown area of the International Settlement. No incidents have occurred thus far.

Repeated to Hankow and Peiping.

Gauss
  1. Col. Charles F. B. Price, commanding U. S. 4th Marines Regiment at Shanghai.