393.115/140: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
Shanghai, January 26, 1938—3
p.m.
[Received 8:10 p.m.]
[Received 8:10 p.m.]
142. My No. 43, January 8, 5 p.m. concerning looting of American property at Soochow and Hangchow.
- 1.
- Soochow: Detailed reports just received from American missionaries who visited Soochow a number of times between November 21 and December 21 indicate (a) that on November 21, after Japanese occupied the city, Americans called at Japanese military headquarters. They also inspected property of Baptist Mission which was found to be intact, (b) On November 24 they found Baptist Mission property had been broken into and thoroughly looted and observed Japanese soldiers looting the ladies’ home and school buildings. On the same day inspected American Presbyterian Mission Hospital, saw one building burning and found the administration building had been looted. Inspected Methodist Episcopal Mission hospital, found lower food supplies of doctors’ residence had been looted and Japanese soldiers engaged in looting upper food supplies, (c) On November 26 Americans called on Japanese General commanding Soochow and left detailed list of American property. Inspected property of American Church Mission in company with Japanese officers detailed by military headquarters, found American flag still flying over buildings but ladies’ residence had been thoroughly looted. Saw three Japanese soldiers on the premises engaged in looting. Inspected Soochow Academy property and found principal’s and treasurer’s offices thoroughly looted, all safes and filing cabinets having been broken open. Found also that one foreign residence had been thoroughly looted and that the church had been broken into and vestments looted or strewn about in great disorder, (d) On December 1 found Japanese soldiers in treasurer’s office in the Yates Academy (American Baptist Mission property) who were trying to break open safe. On visiting treasurer’s office next day they found safe had been broken open. They also saw soldiers loading loot from Baptist residences and school buildings, (e) On subsequent visits Americans found that further looting of American properties had occurred. (f) A group [Page 250] of missionaries who visited Soochow on January 15 and who were escorted on a tour of Methodist Mission property by Japanese military and consular officials found all buildings with one or two exceptions occupied by Japanese troops.
- 2.
- Hangchow: Reports from missionaries at Hangchow indicate that (a) on December 24 proclamations were obtained from the Japanese who entered the city that day and were posted on the majority of American properties. (b) December 26 Japanese soldiers entered three American residences which were flying American flags and on which American consular proclamations and notices issued by Japanese military police had been posted, stole money, jewelry, and other articles, (c) December 27 Japanese soldiers again entered the same residences and pilfered.
Copies of reports received from American missionaries regarding looting of American properties at Soochow and Hangchow being forwarded by mail.33
Repeated to Hankow and Tokyo.
Gauss
- Not printed.↩