Office of the Historian

893.102S/1796: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, May 11, 1939—3 p.m.
[Received May 11—1:40 p.m.]

370. At the instance of the French Consul General as head of the French Concession, the Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Council [Page 43] yesterday convened a conference attended by police and executive authorities of the two municipalities, by the French Consul General and, by invitation, by the American and British Consuls General.

(2)
French Consul General disclosed that the regulations for the mobilization movement at Shanghai contemplates mass organization of the Chinese for anti-Japanese propaganda and opposition to Japanese. Authorities of both municipalities are very much concerned over the situation as the Chinese apparently intend to continue and intensify their political activities here. Notwithstanding acquiescence by Chinese Notepayers [Ratepayers] Associations in the order that display of the Chinese flag should be restricted to 8 specified days during the year, the Chinese recently violated the order on anniversary of the 21 demands and when police required that flags be lowered there was evidence of opposition and of some organized attempt to close business establishments in protest [and?] Chinese language newspapers, principally those claiming American and British status, also continue to offend. It is the opinion of both municipalities that firm measures must be taken to impress upon the Chinese that continued political activity must cease. French Consul General suggested necessity for drastic curfew orders and also study of a possible requirement for registration of all Chinese residents—about 2½ million—and strict control of all Chinese entering the foreign areas by whatever channel.
(3)
It was agreed that the two municipalities would issue a joint proclamation cautioning the public (particularly the Chinese of course) that the neutrality of the foreign areas must be strictly respected and that unless political activity ceases immediately it will become necessary, without further warning, to introduce strict curfew measures and to expel all persons engaging in political activities, et cetera. However, it was also agreed between the two municipalities that at the first further indication of opposition on the streets to police measures, a strict and drastic curfew shall be applied in both foreign areas, with intensive searches, et cetera. And if there is further display of the Chinese flag on other than the authorized days, the two municipalities will consider that the understanding has been violated on the Chinese side and consideration will be given to reducing the number of authorized days or of prohibiting entirely the display of the flag. In this connection, the Japanese authorities and the puppet municipal regime are protesting strongly against any display of Chinese National Flag.
(4)
Chairman of the Municipal Council disclosed that he had convened a meeting of the publishers and editors of Chinese language newspapers and had received assurances of cooperation. He hoped that situation would improve. (I doubt it.)
(5)
Chairman also disclosed that the Secretary General of the Council has had informal discussions with head of the Chinese puppet municipal regime and in complete accord [regime with reference to?] improved relations but the “Mayor” made it plain that nothing could be expected from his side until the demands concerning Chinese courts and the land office records are complied with.
(6)
Both municipalities disclosed that there is difficulty being experienced with the Chinese puppet municipal regime in the matter of disposal of garbage and ordure, the Japanese gendarmerie apparently supporting the Chinese position. It is believed, however, that this matter will be settled.
(7)
French Consul General has agreed to furnish my British colleague and me with text of the mobilization regulations as obtained by his police. It is our opinion that the situation should be brought to the attention of our Governments with the recommendation that strong representations should be made to the Chinese Government for the cessation of all Chinese political activity in the foreign areas at Shanghai and respect for the neutrality of those areas which severally has provided security for Chinese residents and Chinese interests. Unless this is done the Chinese are simply playing into the hands of the Japanese in their “build up” which I reported in my telegram No. 360 of May 6, 3 p.m. and ultimately must suffer therefrom.

Repeated to Chungking and Peiping. Code text by air mail to Tokyo.

Gauss