893.102 Kulangsu/247: Telegram
The Consul at Amoy (MacVitty) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 31—8:35 a.m.]
My August 23, 8 p.m. and August 24, 7 p.m.28 Uchida said day before yesterday that his Foreign Office rejected his suggestion as outlined in the above mentioned telegrams, and insists on the appointment of a new Japanese inspector of police, in addition to the present Japanese sub-inspector, the new appointee to rank with but after the Russian; he added that the other questions mentioned in the telegram under reference could be satisfactorily arranged; that the new arrangements would not be a financial burden to the Municipal Council; that reduction in the number of new Japanese constables would be considered; but that the coercive measures could not be lifted until an agreement was reached.
If my colleagues and the Municipal Council had favored acceptance of this plan I would have interposed no objection; however, last night it was decided not to consider Uchida’s informal proposal through Benninghoff for the following reasons:
- (1)
- It is backed by threats and coercive measures.
- (2)
- The appointment of a Japanese inspector, nominated by his Government to an important administrative position in the international Settlement and over whom the Municipal Council could exercise only a nominal control, would jeopardize the independence and international character of the Settlement.
- (3)
- The Council cannot consider having Japan pay the salary of any of its employees. Benninghoff informally conveyed this decision to Uchida. It might also be added that despite any guarantees which may be made, the Settlement authorities fear that further demands would be made within a short time.
I feel almost certain that if the Japanese Foreign Office would accept the promotion of the present Japanese sub-inspector, it would be possible to settle quickly the Kulangsu problem.
Sent to Peiping. Repeated to Chungking, Shanghai. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.
- Latter not printed.↩