793.94/4640: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 9—10:10 a.m.]
173. The following letter was despatched by the Mayor of Greater Shanghai to the Japanese Consul General yesterday:
“I have the honor to state that as our troops have now left the regions of Woosung, Kiangwan, Chapei and other places, it has become urgently necessary for the various municipal services, such as public safety, sanitation, public utilities, et cetera, to be resumed in the interest of the public. Mindful of its duties and applications, the city government of Greater Shanghai has decided to issue orders to the organs concerned to this effect.
In view of the fact that Japanese troops are still stationed in the several districts concerned, and in order to prevent misunderstanding, I have the honor to notify you and to request that your military authorities be duly informed in this connection. Your reply is awaited.”
- 2.
- I understand that the Japanese Consul General is referring the letter to his Minister and to the Foreign Office for instructions. He is unable to reply within his instructions and the opinion is freely expressed that no Chinese administrative functions will be allowed in Chapei until the various questions are discussed at the round-table conference which is supposed to be imminent.
- 3.
- The Mayor of Greater Shanghai has addressed the following letter
to the American Consul General on the same subject:
“With the evacuation of Woosung, Kiangwan and Chapei by the Chinese forces, it is urgently necessary to continue the maintenance of such activities as related to public safety, public health and public utilities in each of these areas. Since it is incumbent upon the municipality to attend to the matter, we have decided to order the controlling officers to exercise their respective functions. In view of the fact that some of the Japanese troops are still quartered in the above-mentioned districts, this municipality has addressed a letter to the Japanese Consul General with the request that he pass the information to the Japanese military authorities so that they may take note accordingly and send a reply in order to obviate the possibility of a misunderstanding. Meanwhile, I have the honor to transmit this for your information.”
This letter requires no action on my part and only a formal acknowledgment is being sent as a reply.
Repeated to the Legation. Copy to the Minister.