Office of the Historian

393.1164 University of Shanghai/34: Telegram

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

Shanghai, June 27, 1938—4 p.m.
[Received June 27—8:35 a.m.]

912. My 835, June 14, 2 p.m.89 regarding the University of Shanghai.

1.
The Japanese Consul General came to see me late Saturday afternoon and handed me a letter, signed by himself, informing me that the Japanese military and naval authorities have decided to evacuate the premises of the Shanghai University on July 5. The letter also states that “the district where the University of Shanghai is situated is located within the area where, from the necessity of military operations, neither nationals of the third powers nor the Chinese are allowed to enter or reside.” It is stated in the letter that the Japanese military and naval authorities are prepared to give favorable consideration to the matter of placing watchmen on the premises of the university and making necessary repairs to the property when they are informed of the details of the plan, provided that such plan “is not incompatible with the necessity of military operations”. The letter further states that the matter of paying compensation for losses sustained by the university as a result of its use by the Japanese military forces will be considered later in connection with similar cases.
2.
I made no commitment to the Japanese Consul General but observed that the conditions laid down by the Japanese military and naval authorities in connection with the return of the property would necessarily have to be brought to the attention of the mission authorities concerned and that this would be done today. I told Mr. Hidaka [Page 379] that the restrictions thrown around the use of the property would probably not be well received by the missionary authorities because they had previously informed the Consulate that the use of the property by the Baptist Mission would require free communication between the campus and the mission headquarters in the International Settlement; that it would require freedom to employ Chinese workers and servants and to transport materials and supplies and to do all that is normally done in connection with the residence of the members of the mission on the campus. I told Mr. Hidaka that the members of the mission felt very strongly on this point.
3.
Mr. L. C. Hylbert, chairman of the Administrative Commission of the university, and Dr. M. T. Rankin, of the Mission Board, came to see me this morning at my request and stated that they did not see how they could consistently accept the return of the university on July 5 under the conditions and restrictions imposed by the Japanese. They hold that as stated above unless they have free access to and control of the property its return would be meaningless and that they could not conscientiously report to their home boards that the property had been returned to their control. These representatives believe and I share their belief that complications will arise with reference to visits, repair work and watchmen, especially in view of the fact that the grounds are located in an area which it seems now evident the Japanese intend ultimately to turn into a fortified military zone. The representatives are also apparently influenced by the unfavorable reaction which they feel would be loathsome amongst their large Chinese constituency if they should compromise the issue with the Japanese.
4.
In view, firstly, of the important principle involved and, secondly, of the large sum of money at stake, namely, well over $1,000,000 United States currency, the members of the board, at my suggestion, decided to refer the question to their head office. Unless on further consideration they should change their position, which I do not believe will be the case, they will recommend against accepting the return of the university on the conditions named. I personally believe that the offer which the Japanese have made to return the university is merely the preliminary step in an effort to purchase the property, inasmuch as it is in the immediate zone of an area which I believe it is intended to convert into a military zone. The area includes transient airfield and Point Island on which latter area there are American properties. I believe that the position of the board’s representatives in recommending rejection of the offer has merit but I should greatly appreciate the views of the Department on this point for my guidance in further discussions with the board’s representatives here.

Repeated to Hankow, Peiping and Tokyo.

Lockhart
  1. Not printed.↩