893.00/6–548: Telegram
The Consul at Shanghai (Pilcher) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 5—8:24 a. m.]
1266. ReConGen’s 1017, June 5, repeated to Department 1265.1 Anti-American parade failed materialize this afternoon, due forceful action of police and garrison authorities and also to fact student agitators have been obviously unable to gather student support in sufficient strength to push demonstration through. Between 500 and 1000 Chiaotung students who were to have led off demonstration are confined to campus behind locked gates with police and garrison personnel in considerable force surrounding area.
Group of several hundred middle school students have formed on Bund and are carrying on mild demonstration. Police have hemmed them in and are restricting their movements.
ConGen, US Navy and military installations and certain American business houses have been provided with sizable armed Chinese military guards since mid-morning. Woosung-Shanghai garrison commander General Hsuan issued statement during morning that garrison determined prevent demonstration and to put an end student agitation “once and for all”.
Explosion of chemical shop two blocks from Bund causing large fire in afternoon gave rise to rumors of political connection.
Sent Nanking 1018, repeated Department 1266.
- Not printed.↩