893.102S/1912: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)
436. Your despatch 2537, September 16, 1939, with specific reference to enclosures 1 and 2,97 and Department’s 360, September 21, 6 p.m., to you, with specific reference to paragraph 2.
In view of the increasing number and importance of problems of a diplomatic as well as military character arising from the operation of the Shanghai defense plan, the Department raises for consideration the question whether the situation outlined in the last paragraph of enclosure 2 to your despatch under reference should continue to exist.
The Department has in mind the discussions and exchanges of messages in 1934 and 1935,98 of which you know with respect to consular representation on the Shanghai Defense Committee, and believes that no useful purpose would be served by renewing those discussions at this time. In this connection, however, the Department suggests that you talk over with Admiral Hart the practicability of there being consultation between you and the responsible American [Page 102] naval or marine officer with respect to any proposal for revision of the defense plan before any commitment is made in regard thereto by the American marines at Shanghai.
The Department feels that an adequate exchange of information and views amongst the responsible American officials at Shanghai is highly important under the conditions prevailing there and has noted with satisfaction the close cooperation that exists between you, the Commander in Chief and the commanding officer of the American marines.
Sent to Shanghai only.
- Despatch not printed; for two enclosures, see exchange of letters dated September 7 between the Commander in Chief, U. S. Asiatic Fleet, and the Consul General at Shanghai, p. 73.↩
- See telegram No. 366, November 20, 1934, 7 p.m., to the Chargé in China, Foreign Relations, 1934, vol. iii, p. 308, and subsequent correspondence.↩