893.102 Kulangsu/221: Telegram
The Consul at Amoy (MacVitty) to the Secretary of State
Amoy, July 30, 1939—2
p.m.
[Received July 30—11:10 a.m.]
[Received July 30—11:10 a.m.]
With reference to my telegrams of July 25, 5 [1] p.m. and 8 p.m.
- 1.
- Yesterday evening the French Consul informed me that he had just received a telegram from his Ambassador stating that the Japanese Ambassador had called on him and made the offer that if the Consular Body at Amoy would agree to the appointment of a Japanese inspector general of police the Japanese would agree to the simultaneous withdrawal of landing forces. The French Consul was instructed to urge his colleagues to agree to this proposal. Mr. Roy informed me that he had consulted with the British Consul General who had reiterated his views on this matter as outlined in my two telegrams referred to above. I told my French colleague that the matter of the appointment of an inspector was one that concerned the Municipal Council not the Consuls. He stated that he had already pointed out this fact to his Ambassador but this seemed to be completely misunderstood.
- 2.
- Later in the evening I conferred with my British colleague who informed me that the British Ambassador had telegraphed the British Foreign Office regarding my suggestions for the simultaneous withdrawal of landing forces, however, he himself was still of the opinion that a withdrawal without a Japanese agreement to lift the food blockade between Kulangsu and the mainland would be a serious mistake. Personally I must state that I am also of the same opinion as Mr. Fitzmaurice, especially in view of the statements made by Uchida in his speech in the Amoy press, reported in my telegram dated July 27, 2 p.m.
Sent to Embassy in Chungking. Repeated to Peiping and Shanghai. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.
MacVitty