893.00/5958: Telegram
The Minister in China (Schurman) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:35 p.m.]
35. Following from American consul, Shanghai:
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“January 14, 5 p.m. At meeting today of consuls general for Japan, Holland, France, Italy, Great Britain and United States it was unanimously decided to request the diplomatic body to authorize consular body to forbid right of asylum to all Chinese military leaders so long as conditions are as unsettled as at present. Military leader is understood to be any officer with rank of general now or recently having active command of troops. If permission to carry out this policy is granted it is the intention of the consular body to order all of leaders within Settlement to depart as soon as possible and in future the entry of such persons will be prevented.”
2. Following resolution drafted by me was adopted by Heads of Legation, diplomatic body meeting of January 19th, telegraphed to senior consul Shanghai,
“Resolved, that with a view to maintaining the neutrality of Shanghai and for the protection of foreign life and property [Page 596] therein the consular body are authorized, as an emergency measure and during the continuance of fighting and the presence of bodies of troops near Shanghai (but no longer) and without referring the matter to the diplomatic body, in their discretion to expel from the International Settlement (or to refuse admission thereto to) Chinese military leaders (being any officer with the rank of general now or recently having active command of troops) and political chiefs who serve the internal affairs of such militarists who may, in the opinion of the consular body, use the Settlement for fitting out military expeditions or otherwise as a base of military operations or for political agitation.
“The French Minister is sending similar instructions with regard to the French Concession.”
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