893.102S/1937: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 10—8 a.m.]
986. Reference my 852, September 23, 4 p.m., regarding revision of defense plan.
1. Staff officers of American Marines have replied to Japanese proposals by a memorandum which discusses the origin and scope of the defense plan to provide for protection of foreign life and property by collective action with reservation of the right of any defense commander to take independent action where necessary to ensure protection for his nationals. It also advances the proposition that a broad underlying principle of the plan is maintenance of the neutrality [Page 103] of the settlement and vicinity. It then considers the Japanese view that conditions permit revision of the plan, and discusses the very unsatisfactory situation in the western area. It asserts that before agreeing to any proposals for a change in existing provisions for safety of American nationals the American commander must first be assured that such change will guarantee continuance of adequate protection and such assurance cannot be found in the proposed change.
Memorandum expresses inability to agree in principle that the activities of the defense forces be confined to the limits of the settlement. As to the proposed Italian sector the memorandum suggests that if and when the Italian forces are represented in the defense plan they should have their own sector but it should be understood that in event of withdrawal of Italian forces reassignment of the sector should vest in the Defense Committee. As regards Shanghai Volunteer Corps the memorandum states that the corps has proved its usefulness in the past and should be maintained.
2. British military commander has addressed commander of Japanese naval landing party saying he has been instructed by the British Government to say that in the opinion of the British authorities conditions have not improved but rather deteriorated in the areas surrounding the International Settlement following the occupation of such areas by Japanese forces and Chinese police. The British commander stresses the large foreign interests in the British sector in the western area and the responsibility of British forces for protection of foreign lives and interests within the sector and concludes that he has been directed by the British Government “to inform you that no withdrawal of British troops from their present responsibilities in Shanghai can be contemplated until all danger to British and foreign lives and property is removed and circumstances permit a general reconsideration of the defense arrangements for Shanghai by the nationals concerned.”
3. I understand that the Italian commander has made a reply to the Japanese but that the reply has not been communicated to the other foreign commanders for their information.
4. Admiral Hart informs me that a meeting of the staff officers is scheduled for November 14.
5. The memorandum of the American staff officers was prepared and delivered without consultation with me and, apparently through some misunderstanding, without the prior knowledge of Admiral Hart who is inquiring into the circumstances. While the reply is in my opinion fundamentally sound, if I had been consulted I would have recommended a number of changes in wording and tone.
Repeated to Peiping and Chungking. Code text by airmail to Tokyo.