793.94/3606: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—10:30 a.m.]
My telegram of January 21, 5 p.m., last sentence. Chairman of Shanghai Municipal Council called on me this morning and informed me that he intended to call at once on the Japanese Admiral and request him to arrange to preserve order at the Japanese mass meeting tomorrow afternoon. I told him emphatically that the Japanese Consul was the one who should be consulted rather than the Admiral; that it was better for the police to handle the situation if possible and I strongly suggested that he consult with the Japanese Consul General and leave it to the latter to determine whether to call on the Japanese military. I told him also that if conditions become such as to render it impossible for the Municipal Council including the volunteers to control the situation I thought the Council should apply to the Senior Consul for the assistance of all the powers. He said he believed it would be better to have the Japanese meet an emergency and if there were any shooting for them to do it rather than the Shanghai Municipal Council. I thought that in my opinion the Shanghai Municipal Council was better qualified to handle the situation than the Japanese military. That if it became a question of handling a Chinese mob the police would delay firing longer and possibly would be able to handle the situation. After some further remarks the Chairman stated that he would call on the Japanese Consul General and ask him to use his best offices to preserve order at the meeting and would later call on the Japanese Admiral and express the hope that he would work in coordination with the Japanese Consul General.
Press reports today that Japanese Admiral issued a statement that in case the Mayor fails to comply with the demands of the Japanese Consul General in connection with various anti-Japanese cases he, the Admiral, would take appropriate steps to protect the rights and interest of Japan.
Repeated to the Legation.