893.918/7–3049: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 30—10:02 a. m.]
1660. Embassy July 30 presented following protest on Gould and Miner case to Aliens Affairs Office, Nanking:
“Information has been received from Shanghai that Mr. Randall Gould and Mr. Charles F. Miner, American citizens who are editor and representative of the owner, respectively, of Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury, were confined to their office from noon on July 26 until July 28 by their employees, in attempt by latter to force management of paper to yield to their demands. During nearly 24 hours, Messrs. Gould and Miner were not only not permitted to have food and water brought to them, but all through night of July 26 they were kept awake by workers who beat on doors with various implements. Messenger bringing medicine prescribed by Gould’s doctors also refused entrance.
“American Consul General, Shanghai, reported full facts this incident to police on afternoon of July 26 and later to AAO; Shanghai police promised to send representative to investigate, but no effective action was taken until July 28, when police intervened and Messrs. Gould and Miner were finally released after coming to agreement with workers. Although eventual intervention of police enabling settlement is gratifying, the Government of United States of America has issued instructions that a strong protest be lodged at failure of authorities to take action promptly, once they had been informed of facts. Irrespective of intrinsic merits of dispute, it is difficult to believe that arbitrary use by employees against employers of weapons of hunger, thirst and mental anguish is approved by local authorities. Nor does such action seem in harmony with declarations of highest Communist leaders, that foreign lives and property would be protected. Consequently, failure of Shanghai authorities to intervene promptly and bring about settlement of this dispute by orderly and peaceful processes is most difficult to understand. Certainly, American people will be shocked to learn that in China’s largest city two of their fellow citizens were isolated by mob action which continued for more than 48 hours before authorities responsible for maintenance of peace and order consented to intervene.
“It is hoped that the responsible authorities will demonstrate in future that they do not approve of irresponsible mob action for settlement of wage disputes and incidents similar to one involving Messrs. Gould and Miner will not recur.”