893.102S/1885: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 14—11:47 a.m.]
819. Reference my No. 810, September 11, 2 p.m. Commanding Officer Fourth Marines tells me that at the meeting of the defense commanders this morning the Japanese Commandant urged the necessity for revising the defense plan, pointing out that it was originally intended to protect foreign nationals from the Chinese and that this necessity no longer exists. The Japanese have the situation around Shanghai well in hand. The Commandants agreed to refer the matter to a committee of staff officers to submit draft proposals. Contrary to expectations, the Japanese Commandant made no reference to withdrawal of the British and French forces; nor did he submit any plan of revision. The meeting adjourned subject to call.
Repeated to Tokyo, Chungking and Peiping.