893.102 Kulangsu/293: Telegram
The Consul at Amoy (MacVitty) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 1—12:46 a.m.]
With reference to the Embassy at Tokyo despatch 4503 [4508] dated February 17th, I have to report that the Rate Payers Committee disagreed as to the Council’s financial ability to pay for the additional 10 Formosan police. The American, British, and Dutch members of the Committee state that at present the Council’s finances do not justify this expenditure and the Japanese members state that the Council should assume the liability.
The Japanese Consul General told the chairman of the Municipal Council yesterday, “I have brought down my request to 5 Formosans now and 5 later [and?] although I am trying to keep them quiet the Japanese Navy may cause some small inconvenience if the Formosan police are not hired. I do not mean there will be landing parties but some inconveniences might be caused. I am trying to keep the navy quiet.” The above would appear to prove that pressure is being used.
The crux of the situation seems to be that Mr. Uchida is demanding 3-year contracts at salaries three times those paid to police who have been in service for 10 years and the Council, in view of uncertain conditions, does not deem it advisable to bind itself for expenditures beyond the financial year.
Sent to Peiping, Chungking. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.