893.102S/1864
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 23.]
Sir: With reference to my despatches, No. 2271 of June 15 and No. 2284 of June 23, 1939,70 in regard to the Japanese desire for [Page 68] increased Japanese participation in the police administration of the International Settlement, I have the honor to inform you that the Japanese authorities are insisting that Mr. Akagi, the (Japanese) Special Deputy Commissioner of Police appointed in the spring of 1938, following the “understanding” between the Council and the Japanese Consul General at that time, shall be recognized as the second ranking officer of the Municipal Police and as such, entitled to assume charge of the police during the absence on leave or on account of illness of Major Bourne, the (British) Commissioner of Police.
Mr. Morito Morishima, Counselor of the Japanese Embassy, has visited me several times (July 1st, 14th and 25th) to discuss this matter, and I learn from the British Acting Consul General that Mr. Morishima has also approached the British Ambassador on the matter.
I have taken the view that (1) during the continuance of Sino-Japanese hostilities, no Japanese (or Chinese) Deputy Commissioner or “Special Deputy Commissioner” of Police should function as Acting Commissioner of Police for the reason that this would likely incite those Chinese elements which have been disturbing peace and order but which have, at least for the moment, been suppressed, to resume their activities, thereby menacing the local situation and threatening the safety of American and other foreign (including Japanese) life and property; but that (2) under normal conditions, I would see no objection to a Japanese deputy commissioner, or a deputy commissioner of any other nationality, functioning as Acting Commissioner, this being entirely a matter of internal police administration in which the consular representatives should not intervene. In short, I would object to a Japanese functioning as head of the police during the continuance of Sino-Japanese hostilities; but under normal conditions, I have no objection to a Japanese on the basis of his nationality, the matter being one entirely of internal police administration involving the selection or designation by the Council, or whatever other Municipal officer or officers may be concerned, of a suitable person to serve as the acting Commissioner.
Mr. Morishima finally told me that the Japanese authorities were disposed to accept the view that Mr. Akagi should not serve as Acting Commissioner of Police during the continuance of hostilities, but they insist that he should be recognized as the second ranking officer of the police, entitled to assume charge of the police during the absence of the Commissioner. He stated that it would be arranged that during the continuance of Sino-Japanese hostilities, Mr. Akagi would absent himself, on leave, at the same time that the Commissioner is absent, so as to permit Captain Smythe (the ranking British Deputy Commissioner) to assume charge, but when normal conditions are restored, Mr. Akagi would act.
[Page 69]This proposal is meeting strong opposition in the Council and, apparently, in the upper ranks of the police. I enclose copy of a strictly confidential memorandum71 on the subject prepared by the Secretary-Commissioner General.
The Japanese are taking a determined position in the matter and will undoubtedly insist upon recognition of Mr. Akagi, who was a high ranking officer in the police administration of Japan before his appointment here, as the second in command of the Shanghai Municipal Police.
The Department will recall that in asking for a Japanese Inspector of Police at Kulangsu, Amoy, the Japanese are insisting that he shall rank next to the head of the police.
It is very apparent that it is the desire of the Japanese to place Japanese police officers in positions from which they can readily be promoted to head the police administrations of the settlements at Shanghai and Kulangsu.
Respectfully yours,