393.1163AM33/60: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 19—10:35 a.m.]
284. The extensive and valuable property of the American Southern Baptist Mission located on Paoshing Road, Chapei, was occupied by Japanese troops following the withdrawal of Chinese troops from the premises in October of last year.
[Page 278]Repeated written and oral representations are being made to the Japanese Consulate General here to bring about the vacation of this property by Japanese troops. These efforts have proved unsuccessful. In the meantime members of the mission who have visited the premises from time to time report continuous looting of the premises by Japanese troops who are also tearing out the woodwork, breaking large holes through the walls, stabling horses in the school buildings and wantonly destroying the property. The property was always marked by American flags and American consular notifications of ownership many of which are still to be seen on the various buildings.
I am continuing my efforts here to bring about vacation of the property before it is completely destroyed but suggest that strong representations be made to the Japanese Government regarding this particularly flagrant instance of the occupation, looting and destruction of American property by Japanese troops.
Repeated to Tokyo, Hankow.