893.102S/2175: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul at Shanghai (Butrick)
362. Your 767, August 12, 6 p.m.
1. It is assumed that, in connection with his offer to take over the British Defense Sector, Colonel Peck intends to proceed strictly in accordance with the messages received by Admiral Hart from the Navy Department about the end of June.
2. After consultation with Colonel Peck, and unless you or he perceive objection, please transmit urgently to the Embassy at Tokyo the following message as from the Department:
“The Department is informed that a meeting of the interested commanders at Shanghai is planned for August 15 to consider a possible revision of defense sectors in connection with an offer by the Commander of the American Marine Detachment to take over the defense sector now assigned to a British force.
Unless you perceive objection, please approach the Japanese Foreign Office at earliest possible moment in such manner as you may deem appropriate and express the hope and expectation of this Government that a new arrangement of defense sectors will be worked out in a spirit of good will and cooperation in accordance both with the principles underlying the international character of the Settlement and with the practical considerations which must be taken into account by the American and other foreign contingents.”
Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to Chungking and Peiping.