893.102S/1622: Telegram

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

425. Reference proposals for increased Japanese participation in administration of the International Settlement. Municipal Council has handed Japanese Consul General a memorandum which had previously been discussed with him and which it is understood is accepted as a settlement of the question.

2.
Memorandum states that the Council is prepared to make certain changes in the police administration to meet Japanese aspirations but that simultaneously the Japanese authorities should assist the return to normal conditions by taking all practicable steps to restore the full control of the Council in the areas north of the Creek at the earliest possible time.
3.
Memorandum then examines Japanese proposals in detail and provides for the abolition of the present special Japanese branch of the police and for the division of the foreign branch into two sections, the present Japanese branch to be known as section 2 and its members to be eligible for transfer to section 1 when after trial and experience they individually show their ability to take note [part] in the general work of section 1, the ultimate aim being that the two sections should become one. The rank of constable is abolished in section 2 as in the present foreign branch and all present Japanese constables as well as new appointees are to be probationary sergeants. Council is willing to appoint another Japanese as a special Deputy Commissioner provided he has police experience in keeping with that rank and has a thorough knowledge of English. (I understand that the Japanese are nominating a high ranking police officer for the post.) The Council is also willing to appoint an experienced Japanese police officer with knowledge of English as associate division officer in one of the divisions north of the Creek and may later appoint another such officer.
4.
In regard to the Secretariat, the memorandum points out that the present Japanese Deputy Secretary has done good work and gained valuable experience, that nothing would be gained by replacing him and it would be inexpedient to change his rank, that he has direct access to both the Chairman and the Secretary General, that he may communicate directly with heads of departments in matters affecting Japanese interests, and that steps will be taken to have him attend all important conferences and meetings.
5.
I hope this will be a final and satisfactory settlement of this problem but as pointed out in paragraph 2 above, as the Council moves to give effect to its proposals the Japanese authorities are expected [Page 130] simultaneously to take all practicable steps to restore full Council control in the area north of the Creek at the earliest possible time.
6.
Advance information will be made to the press later by the Council in a form which will first be submitted for approval.

Repeated to Hankow, Peiping and Tokyo.

Gauss