793.94/9252: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 9—8:32 a.m.]
439. Japanese Consul General called this morning to ascertain my attitude toward proposal by several members of the Joint Commission to consider Japanese complaint that Peace Preservation Corps has been heavily increased and is holding night maneuvers and digging trench holes north of Shanghai. He says Chinese authorities claim Peace Preservation Corps are taking defensive measures only.
2. I stated I would attend a meeting if called by the Chairman but that I could anticipate no satisfactory results unless both sides are prepared to make declarations not to engage in hostilities at Shanghai, the Chinese being fearful that as in 1932 the Japanese would use the Settlement as a base. He replied such matters would seem to be outside a purview of Joint Commission but added that Japanese have no desire for hostilities in Shanghai.
Repeated to Nanking and Tokyo; to Peiping by courier.