793.94/11181: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 18—4:35 p.m.]
984. My No. 970, November 15, 6 p.m.24 Chinese resistance along the Kashing–Soochow–Changshu line appears to be increasing. Chinese reenforcements are reported to be steadily strengthening this line while the rainy weather of the past 2 days has slowed up Japanese operations. Japanese Army casualties in the Shanghai area since August 23 were announced today as 9,000 killed and 29,000 wounded. Approximately 220,000 Japanese troops are now believed to be engaged in operations from Hangchow Bay to the Yangtze River. Additional reenforcements and great quantities of munitions and supplies arrive daily and are sent to the front over land and by the Whangpoo River and Soochow Creek.
The Settlement south of the Creek and the French Concession are gradually assuming a more normal aspect; many defense works are being removed; the Shanghai Volunteer Corps has been demobilized and the foreign defense sectors are now very lightly held. The refugee problem is serious but the Japanese have allowed the International Committee in charge of the safety zone in the native city to continue to function and have contributed $20,000 towards this work. The Hongkew and Yangtzepoo Districts have now been thrown open by [Page 690] the Japanese authorities to Japanese residents without restrictions but not to foreigners; all other areas around Shanghai occupied by the Japanese remain closed to foreigners.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Nanking and Peiping.
- Not printed.↩