793.94/8171: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 24—7:20 a.m.]
509. Four Japanese bluejackets attacked last night about 8:30 p.m. by Chinese in Hongkew district within settlement. One bluejacket killed and two injured. One Chinese gunman arrested on the spot. He has since been turned over by Japanese to the Shanghai municipal police.
Japanese landing party promptly threw cordon around the area, stopped all traffic and in conjunction with Shanghai municipal police searched pedestrians and houses in the vicinity. Patrols were also posted in the Hongkew and Chapei area[s] and a considerable force of Japanese reservists called up and concentrated at Japanese headquarters. Five hundred and fifty sailors also reported to have been landed from the troop ship Muroto which arrived during the night.
[Page 307]The Japanese community is greatly aroused and very tense. Japanese naval authorities have issued a statement to the effect that the special naval landing party will proceed “armed for the protection of Japanese lives within and outside the Settlement according to its own judgment”. Statement made by Japanese Embassy here expresses intense indignation at this latest outrage and continues “we can no longer trust Chinese assurances that anti-Japanese movements and activities will be suppressed and we must regretfully take upon ourselves the task of protecting the lives and property of our nationals in China by whatever means we consider suitable”.
No unusual demands made so far by Japanese upon the Settlement authorities who report that the Japanese cordon was withdrawn this morning and that only a few extra patrols remain in the Hongkew and Chapei areas. Shanghai municipal police incline to the belief that shooting was done by terrorist or Communist group. Japanese are understood to be of the same opinion but are fast losing patience over these frequently recurring incidents. Settlement and Chinese authorities taking special precautions. Situation quet but tense.