102.22/6–1649: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai ( Cabot )

1215. Reurtel 2310, June 16, passed CNO and ComNavWesPac. Dept endeavoring work out with Navy equitable procedure for settling legitimate claims laborers and will telegraph further within 24 hours. In meantime you are instructed orally approach highest Commie authority available along fol lines: That ConGen not authorized represent Navy but can act only as agency for transmission representations to Navy; that ConGen informed that procedure for settling any legitimate claims extant being devised and further info forthcoming; that reliable reports received laborers planning mass invasion ConGen properties shortly in absence settlement claims; and that, in accordance with reptd Commie pronouncements re protection fon properties, responsibility for protecting ConGen properties against any mob action this type will rest squarely on local Commie authorities. You might in ur discretion add that world will watch with interest this test of Chi Commie police authority in protecting fon properties against threat mob violence.

Webb