Office of the Historian

793.94/4108: Telegram

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

Shanghai, February 10, 1932—8 p.m.
[Received 8:28 p.m.]

30. Continuing my daily report No. 25 of February 9, 8 p.m.

1.
So far the Woosung forts are still in the hands of the Chinese. The report current yesterday to the effect that Woosung Village had practically fallen has not been confirmed. During the day only impetuous exchange of firing has taken place according to eyewitnesses at Woosung. The Japanese apparently are bringing up fieldpieces and strengthening their defenses at Woosung in the expectation of making a new attack. They have apparently met with unexpected resistance. Field telephones are being strung between Shanghai and Woosung by the Japanese. It is estimated that the Japanese have approximately 6,000 soldiers and marines landed for the attack on Woosung. The Japanese are building antiaircraft dugouts at the new airplane field at the end of Pingliang Road, south of Shanghai Baptist College. These are being prepared for the protection of their airfield. Yesterday a Japanese plane crashed and blew up at this field. Woosung lighthouse has been badly damaged and appears on the point of collapsing. Two or three lights on buoys have also been extinguished by firing. However no merchant ships are entering or leaving the harbor during the hours of darkness. One American ship, the Golden River, has been delayed in port for 8 days resulting in loss of freight, demurrage, et cetera. The present situation has resulted in freight congestion, lack of wharfage and poor postal facilities.
2.
The situation in Chapei sector has remained fairly quiet, only occasional firing taking place. On February 9th the Japanese marines at North Szechuan and Haining Roads interfered with a party of municipal police pushing the Chinese police away with their rifle butts and generally acting in a hostile manner. The Japanese reservists were especially hostile shaking iron bars in the faces of the police. Antiaircraft shells continue to fall in the Settlement.
3.
Yesterday it was reported that a Japanese ship captain while proceeding up river in the vicinity of the arsenal was shot from shore by some unknown parties. Today newspapermen were interviewing Admiral Nomura when he stated that this captain had been taken ashore and shot by the Chinese authorities at the arsenal. He threatened to take drastic action. He also stated to his interviewers that the Chinese were aggravating the Japanese by their continual attacks and that it would eventually result in drastic action on the part of the Japanese.
4.
Late yesterday afternoon a motorcar fitted with steel protection plates belonging to the 19th Route Army was attacked on Rue du Marche by a crowd of Chinese who evidently mistook the vehicle for a Japanese armored car. The car had recently conveyed the Mayor and two Chinese military officers and was returning to the Mayor’s residence when the incident occurred.
5.
According to observers, defense works have been erected on the roof of the Toyoda new mill, at Chungshan and Jessfield Road corner, by Japanese forces. These consist of three light field guns and three machine guns in separate emplacements. Machine-gun fire from this sector was heard last night.
6.
A Chinese Citizens’ Federation met on February 9th for the purpose of discussing the question of resuming business on the 10th. After discussion it was decided to issue a declaration stating that the Banks had come to the decision to continue definitely suspension of business as long as the Japanese troops remain in Shanghai. About 15 percent of the shops, mostly food shops, resumed business this morning.

Repeated to the Legation and Nanking and Tokyo for information.

Cunningham