893.102 Kulangsu/308
The Consul at Amoy (MacVitty) to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)86
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my despatch to the Embassy No. 80 dated April 29, 1940,83 regarding the endeavor of the Municipal Council to minimize the interference with junk traffic between Kulangsu and the mainland by the Japanese Naval authorities at Amoy, after each assassination or attempted assassination of puppets, in the International Settlement.
It appears that Mr. Uchida has been endeavoring for the past month to secure some assurance from the Japanese Naval authorities that would justify the Council in granting the immediate appointment of five Formosan police, however, the Naval authorities evidently [Page 840] would not agree to a direct statement. This information was conveyed by Mr. Uchida to Mr. Hitchcock, the Chairman of the Municipal Council yesterday morning, and at the same time Mr. Uchida handed Mr. Hitchcock a letter which he stated contained the best offer he was able to obtain from the Navy. In presenting the letter he said the first two paragraphs were put in merely for “face-saving” purposes, and he assured Mr. Hitchcock that if the appointment of five Formosans was immediately agreed to and the additional five, promised under the agreement of October 17, 1939, were appointed in July, there would be no further difficulties.
In view of the above assurances the Municipal Council, at a meeting held yesterday afternoon, agreed to the immediate appointment of the five Formosan police.
It has been evident throughout all the negotiations, that while Mr. Uchida was entirely agreeable to eliminating the unnecessary blockades, the Japanese Navy desired to retain liberty of action in this matter as a threat against the Municipal Council.
Respectfully yours,