893.0146/721a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)
409. 1. The New York Times of October 18 carries an article with Shanghai date line October 17 by Hallett Abend certain paragraphs of which are to the effect that Abend had asked the Japanese military authorities in writing what the Japanese reaction would be if 10,000 American Marines were ordered to Shanghai to help maintain law and order. The article also contains what Abend states to be the written reply of the Japanese military authorities to the effect that they could not see any reason to object to reinforcement of the American Marines at Shanghai if the United States Government should, following the withdrawal of French and British forces, deem such reinforcement necessary. The article also contains a statement by Abend to the effect that the Japanese reply makes it possible for the American Marines to take over the British sectors of the International Settlement and the French Concession boundary.
2. It is suggested that in your discretion you inform Hallett Abend, as from the Department, that it is believed that the making or eliciting of statements for publication with regard to possible uses of American landed armed forces at Shanghai might best and to the advantage of all concerned be left to authorized officials of the American Government.