893.102S/1937: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)
Washington, November 11, 1939—7
p.m.
449. Your 986, November 9, 6 p.m.
- 1.
- The Navy Department concurs in the Department’s instruction no. 436, November 6, 4 p.m.
- 2.
- The Department notes with regret that the memorandum of the American staff officers was prepared and delivered without consultation with you and without the prior knowledge of Admiral Hart.
- 3.
- It has been the Department’s hope that emphasis might be removed from the question of the defense plan and placed upon the more immediate question of the security of the Americans and other foreign residents of the western extra-Settlement road area. The Department suggests for your consideration and that of Admiral Hart that the American representative at the meeting of the staff officers scheduled for November 14 might find it advisable to mention that the question of the security of Americans and other foreigners residing in the western area has been taken up with the Japanese Government through diplomatic channels, and to suggest that further discussion among the defense force staff officers be postponed pending the outcome of the approaches which have been made through diplomatic channels.
- 4.
- Please inform Admiral Hart of the contents of this telegram and discuss the whole matter with him.
Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to Peiping, Chungking. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.
Hull