Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1939, The Far East; The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

893.102S/1809: Telegram

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

Washington, May 22, 1939—6 p.m.

178. The Department has been pleased to note the restraint and commonsense appreciation of the difficulties of the situation at Shanghai that have characterized the authorities of the International Settlement in their handling of problems presented by the Sino-Japanese conflict. In this connection, however, the Department notes from your telegram No. 406, May 19, 6 p.m.,⁶⁵ that some of the newspaper comment has a somewhat sensational and provocative tone.

The Department desires that, in case the Municipal Council or any foreign or local elements manifest tendencies toward unduly challenging or arousing susceptibilities of the Japanese, you continue discreetly to exert influence toward encouraging exercise of self-restraint.

Repeated to Chungking and Peiping.

Hull

65. Not printed.