793.94/16085: Telegram
The Consul at Shanghai (Butrick) to the Secretary of State
712. Incident of July 7. Reference my 659 [671?], July 22, 1 p.m. In a letter dated July 25 which has now been translated, Major General Miura states that Colonel Peck’s reply was entirely contrary to his expectations and “absolutely unacceptable for the purpose of settling this incident amicably.” General Miura’s letter which is lengthy and bombastic practically accuses Colonel Peck of bad faith. For example, reviewing some of Colonel Peck’s statements, he says “by these facts, I regret that I have to doubt your sincerity toward the investigation of the facts.” While Colonel Peck’s reply to General Miura was in course of preparation yesterday Rear Admiral Glassford received a letter dated July 28 from Lieutenant Commander [General] Fujita, senior military commander in the Shanghai area. A summary of that letter follows:
“The outrageous and impolite conduct which the members of the United States Fourth Marine Regiment committed in Shanghai against the Japanese gendarmes on July the 7th of this year injured the prestige of the Japanese Army and, in spite of parleys at which the commander of the Japanese gendarmes did his utmost, we cannot recognize any sincerity or good faith in the measures taken by your authorities.
We are exceedingly regretful that a settlement of this affair has not yet been reached. Does not the attitude of the United States Marine Corps side of [besides?] deceiving themselves and others by glossing over and quibbling over very evident facts which are apparent in this incident conflict with the spirit of justice and righteousness which is the traditional character of the American military forces? We believe that the above is extremely deplorable on the part of your [Page 107] forces. In view of the previous friendly relations we believe that such an attitude may have a great influence on our future relations. For the sake of a settlement of this affair by those responsible, I again call your attention to the fact that it should be settled as speedily as possible.”
Admiral Glassford yesterday prepared a reply which after consultation with Colonel Peck and myself was despatched to General Fujita last night. It reads as follows:
“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th instant in regard to what you describe as the outrageous and impolite conduct which the members of the United States Fourth Marine Regiment committed in Shanghai against the Japanese gendarmes on the 7th instant. You inform me that the prestige of the Japanese Army has been injured thereby and that in spite of [conferences] at which the commander of the Japanese gendarmes did his utmost, you cannot recognize any sincerity or good faith in the measures taken by the American authorities concerned, to whom you impute deceit and quibbling. You call my attention to the fact that this incident should be settled as speedily as possible.
It appears that on the 7th instant Colonel de Witt Peck, United States Marine Corps, commanding the Fourth Regiment of Marines at Shanghai, a contingent of the Shanghai Defense Forces, had occasion personally to order the arrest and temporary detention of 16 members of the Imperial Japanese Gendarmerie who were within the American defense sector under circumstances which in the opinion of Colonel Peck warranted the action he took.
It develops that as a result of detailed investigations by the Japanese authorities that the gendarmes are confidently believed by the Japanese authorities to have been subjected to the use of unnecessary force and to maltreatment at the time of arrest and subsequent to arrest. Furthermore, it is represented that the gendarmes suffered humiliation by their public arrest and thereby, as well as by the above alleged maltreatment, the Japanese Army has suffered loss of prestige at the hands of the United States naval service of which the United States Marine Corps is a unit.
The above allegations of the use of unnecessary force and maltreatment of the 16 gendarmes are not substantiated, as no doubt you are aware, by the investigations of this incident directed by Colonel Peck, who informs me that the investigation has been exhausted [exhaustive?] and that accordingly he is satisfied with its findings.
Your imputation of insincerity and lack of good faith in the measures taken by the American authorities concerned, and your imputations of deceit by glossing and quibbling over details of this incident would be intolerable did I not prefer in the interest of preservation our good relations to consider them as unexpressed to a flag officer of the United States Navy by an officer of your high rank, position, and prestige.
As senior United States naval officer on the spot I ask that you permit me to point out that an apology for alleged particular wrongs under these circumstances cannot be expected. Permit me to say further that if the Japanese military authorities feel under all the circumstances of this incident that the Japanese Army has suffered insult [Page 108] or loss of prestige at the hands of the United States naval service, then I wish to express unhesitatingly my wholehearted regret that such should be the case. In these expressions of regret Colonel Peck, United States Marine Corps, joins me, of course.
With these expressions tendered in good faith and all sincerity I trust you may see your way clear to take steps to close the incident.
I am giving no publicity to your letter, hence expect that no publicity will be given to my reply.
I am, Sir, with respect”93
Sent to the Department, repeated to Chungking, Peiping, and Tsingtao for the information of Commander-in-Chief. Code text by air mail to Tokyo.