893.102 Kulangsu/136: Telegram

The Consul at Amoy ( MacVitty ) to the Secretary of State

26. Reference is made to the Department’s No. 10, May 16, 6 p.m. and 12, May 17, 7 p.m. The landing of the Japanese Marines in the Settlement and the demands made on the Municipal Council, which if accepted would place the International Settlement in complete control of the Japanese, the Japanese patrols and searching parties terrorizing the Chinese population and Chinese troops on the mainland returning fire of Japanese stations on shore line of Kulangsu have seriously endangered American lives and property. In this situation the Municipal Council, the legal governing body, and the British warships could not maintain order, therefore, the Chairman formally notified the Consuls on May 15 that normal conditions could not be restored without immediate strong action on the part of the governments interested. He personally made an appeal for the immediate aid of naval forces. Possibility [Probably?] due to the timely arrival of American and British naval vessels the Japanese reduced their forces to 42 on the evening of May 16, however, demands for the reorganization of the Council into Japanese control were not withdrawn. Yesterday the Japanese Admiral promised British Admiral Noble that he would inform him before noon as to when normal conditions would be restored. He failed, however, to communicate with Admiral Noble and at 3:00 p.m. the American and British residents could no longer be left in this dangerous situation and joint naval parties were landed at 5:00 p.m.

A French gunboat arrived last night and, immediately after consultation with French Consul, officer in command disembarked naval force from his vessel. Each naval party consists of 42 men, the equivalent of Japanese force, and the island is divided into three districts for protection. Units will be withdrawn in proportion to Japanese withdrawals. All marines ashore are at [location?] near to their Consulates. The American contingent is lodged in the Consulate building and grounds. It is hoped that normal order will be resumed [Page 115] soon but until demands on the Council are withdrawn the situation will remain serious and American lives and property will require protection.

MacVitty