893.00/5–648: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 6—6:34 a. m.]
999. Shanghai student meeting at Chiaotung University May 4 took anti-American turn, according to press, centered on American policy of “building up” Japan and “interference in China’s domestic affairs by American imperialism”. One paper reported that “Shanghai Student Federation” (outlawed organization) is laying plans for fostering student protest campaign on nationwide scale against American Japan policy, campaign to start within next few weeks. It further reported that publicity units are being organized to work among the people.
Consulate General believes this might mark first step in attempt to stage nationwide anti-Government demonstrations as well as arouse general anti-American feeling by following pattern often employed in past: Initiation of a broad movement through entering wedge of specific popular issue on which even official quarters may lend covert support. While not in position to estimate potentialities of movement from nationwide standpoint, we believe chances would be against its reaching climactic proportions in Shanghai at this time in view of authorities’ apparently alert surveillance of student and labor agitators.
Sent Nanking 767, repeated Department 999.