Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1932, The Far East, Volume III

793.94/4101: Telegram

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

Shanghai, February 10, 1932—9 p.m.
[Received February 10—2 p.m.]

31. Referring to Department’s February 9, 6 p.m.⁹⁵

[1.] Department’s February 6, 8 p.m.⁹⁶ received and communicated orally to commander in chief. The British Consul General received similar instructions referring to Department’s instruction to me.

2. Have not been approached by Japanese and do not see any indication of their doing so. Brenan concurs in my belief that Japanese have no peace parley plans. This conclusion is largely based upon the emphatic dismissal of Admiral Kelly’s proposal on February 8th by the Japanese Minister when the latter indicated that no peace talks were possible until the Chinese retired 20 miles. My instructions as I understand them intend that I be receptive but I am not authorized to approach Japanese.

3. No progress for cessation of hostilities nor for establishing zone to be controlled by neutrals.

4. It is impossible to answer this question authoritatively. First, Hooker informed me that there were 4,500 Japanese armed forces in Shanghai on February 1st and a large part of them must have landed in the Settlement before that date. From authoritative quarters I learn that since February 6th Japanese have landed only about 100 gendarmes in Settlement to replace marines.

Not repeated [to Legation?].

Cunningham

95. Not printed; it requested information.
96. Foreign Relations, Japan, 1931–1941, vol. i, p. 184; cf. telegram No. 56, February 6, 8 p.m., to the Chargé in Great Britain, ante, p. 242.