793.94/3617: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 23—7:10 a.m.]
The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“January 23, noon. My telegram of January 22, 5 p.m.38 General MacNaghten, Chairman of Shanghai Municipal Council, and Fessenden, Secretary General, called on Japanese Admiral yesterday in company with Japanese Consul General. After considerable discussion the Admiral agreed that he would take no action in the Settlement without first consulting with the Settlement authority. The Commissioner of Police of the Settlement reported last night that both the Japanese Admiral and the Japanese Consul General had recommended to their nationals that the Japanese mass meeting called for this afternoon should be abandoned and it is not believed that it will be held.
[Page 54]I have received from Municipal Council a copy of Japanese Admiral’s statement or so-called ultimatum, referred to in paragraph 2 of my telegram January 22, 5 p.m. It is substantially as already reported. When calling on the Mayor this morning the latter stated that he had not received it and believed that it was intended to be merely a published warning. No time limit was given.”