893.102 Kulangsu/243: Telegram
The Consul at Amoy (MacVitty) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 24—2:30 p.m.]
Department’s 264, July 29 [August 21], 2 [6] p.m. I feel that it would be premature to recall Benninghoff at the present time. Most of the time since his arrival on August 2 has been occupied by the discussions and negotiations initiated by Captain Brind26 (my telegram 92, August 12, noon, to the Department and August 19, 4 p.m., to Peiping27), and by common consent of the Consular Body, the Municipal Council, American and other naval officers, he did not discuss seriously with Uchida any proposals which might be in conflict therewith. However, when those negotiations were almost concluded Uchida approached Benninghoff with a plan which might be acceptable, and which all concerned have agreed to consider provided Uchida makes the first move.
Uchida suggested that the present Japanese subinspector of police, who was employed by the Municipal Council in March of this year, be promoted to inspector to rank with but after the present Russian inspector under the British chief of police, and that a civilian liaison officer without executive authority be attached to the Council to facilitate cooperation between the Settlement and the Japanese or Amoy authorities. The Municipal Council and the Consular Body seem inclined to grant this concession if satisfactory guarantees on the following points can be obtained: [Page 152]
- (1)
- Immediate establishment of a system giving the Settlement ample unrestricted food and fuel supplies;
- (2)
- withdrawal of the demand for appointees of the “Amoy city government” on the Municipal Council, and Japanese assurances that that government will adhere to the spirit of any agreement which may be reached;
- (3)
- withdrawal of the demand for the enfranchising of Formosans living in the Settlement, as the land regulations prohibit persons of the Chinese race from voting;
- (4)
- cooperation in the suppression of anti-Japanese and other un-neutral propaganda either in the Settlement or in Amoy.
It is generally agreed that the Japanese demand for an inspector general of police appointed by them to be second [in] command is unreasonable and will not be accepted.
Until such time as a compromise with the above safeguards is achieved or rejected it is felt that Benninghoff should remain in Amoy.
Sent to Peiping. Repeated to the Department, Chungking, Shanghai. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.