893.102S/1907: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 6—7:30 a.m.]
893. Reference paragraph 8 my 852, September 23, 4 p.m., and first 2 paragraphs of my 865, September 26, 7 p.m. British Consul General has written me officially that Municipal Council has requested full support by British forces for municipal police in resisting encroachments in western area and that British Commandant is prepared to extend assistance on condition that the American forces will join “in patrolling the western district and in taking combined action in resisting encroachments either by the Japanese or by [the authorities] sponsored by them.” He asks that American Commandant be authorized accordingly.
2. In referring the letter to Admiral Hart, I have pointed out that the proposed action would likely lead to a still more tense situation and perhaps to the clashes the British have been so anxious to avoid; also that it would likely prejudice the efforts made by us here and at Tokyo for an understanding between the Council and the Chinese municipal regime.
Repeated to Tokyo, Chungking and Peiping.