793.94/11074: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 11—2:53 p.m.]
958. My No. 952, November 10, 8 p.m. The Japanese renewed the bombardment of Nantao early this morning heavily shelling and bombing the entire area until noon when their troops commenced to advance. Last night two Japanese gunboats took up position near the Whangpoo boom and shelled and machine-gunned the Nantao bund. This morning naval picketed [sic] boats crossed the boom at low tide and landed naval units at two points along the Nantao bund. Military observers do not believe that the defenders of Nantao can stand much longer against the combined military, naval and aerial pressure being exerted by the Japanese. Confirmation of the capture of Sungkiang by the Japanese announced officially and it is reported that Chingpu, another strategic village 15 miles northwest of Sungkiang has also fallen. During the course of an interview with press correspondents today General Matsui is reported to have said that inasmuch as he is now master of Shanghai he feels free to take “any steps” dictated by military necessity in the International Settlement as well as in Chinese Territory; that while military operations [Page 675] naturally could not be carried on in the French Concession he makes no distinction between the International Settlement to the north or south of Soochow Creek; that military needs might dictate Japanese control of censorship as well as customs though neither step is contemplated at present; that he preferred not to interfere with the rights of foreign countries and that he would protect foreign interests within the boundaries of the Settlement. General Matsui is further reported to have complained over the “lack of cooperation” shown by the Settlement authorities who he intimated are pro-Chinese.
Sent to the Department, repeated to Nanking and Peiping.