893.102S/1799: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 13—7:35 a.m.]
374. Following joint proclamation issued May 11th by Shanghai Municipal Council and French Concession.
“From the beginning of the present hostilities the authorities of the French Concession and the International Settlement have striven continuously to preserve the neutrality of the areas under their control so that law-abiding residents may continue with security to carry on their lawful occupations and so that the safety of life and property may be preserved for all persons irrespective of nationality. Activities of a political nature though regarded by those participating in them as being of patriotic character cannot legitimately be carried on in neutral areas whose neutrality is respected solely because of the existence of the foreign authorities of the Concession and Settlement respectively. Associations of a political nature can accordingly not be allowed to operate in the areas under the control of the authorities [Page 45] of the French Concession and the International Settlement. Their continued activities would in the opinion of the authorities concerned be inconsistent with that secure neutrality which it is their common object to preserve for the benefit of the whole community. It is accordingly hereby proclaimed that any person participating in the activities of any such association either directly or indirectly may be denied the sanctuary of the Concession and the Settlement and will be liable to expulsion therefrom. Warning is also hereby given that the two authorities concerned may at any time without further notice take any steps that they may deem it necessary to take in order better to ensure the preservation of law and order. In particular a notification may at any time be issued imposing without further notice, if so deemed, necessary drastic curfew regulations. Finally notice is given that the authorities of the French Concession and the International Settlement intend to take the most drastic steps within their power to punish any person who at this time commits any act prejudicial to the preservation of peace, order and good government.”
Repeated to Peiping, Chungking. Airmail to Tokyo.