893.102 Kulangsu/186: Telegram
The Consul at Amoy (MacVitty) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 2—10 a.m.]
64. Yesterday afternoon the Japanese Consul General sent a letter to the Chairman of the Municipal Council regarding the Japanese demands. In this letter he states that, 1: He reserves the right to request serious consideration of articles 3 and 4 (the appointment of Chinese members to the Council by the puppet government and the granting of franchise to Formosans) at a future date. He insists on the immediate appointment of a Japanese inspector to rank second to the Chief of Police and 3 Japanese constables and that the Council recommend at the next ratepayers meeting the employment of 10 additional Formosan police.
It seems to me that the new proposals are only slightly changed from those delivered on May 15. It is evident that the Japanese have not modified their intention of taking control of the International Settlement and that negotiations have been without effect.
From conversations with members of the Council and ratepayers it is certain that the new proposals will be refused as no [ratepayer?] is now in the mood to incur new taxes merely to satisfy the Japanese, especially after the tactics they have taken in attempting to force the residents of the Settlement into submission.
Reports have been received here to the effect that landing forces have been reduced in number; there has been no change in the number of men ashore nor have the Japanese authorities given any indication of a desire to reduce the number of men despite repeated offers to do so by the Americans, British, and French naval authorities in port. The American contingent is camped in the Consulate grounds.
Sent to the Embassy at Peiping, Chungking, Consulate General at Shanghai.