793.94/11443: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:22 p.m.]
1081. Reference to my No. 1074, December 3, 2 p.m. Following the incident this afternoon the Japanese military now controlled approximately 25 city blocks in the crowded Nanking Road area of the Settlement and prevented all movement or traffic. Some of their sentries were extended into the American sector but withdrawn after representations by the Commanding Officer, Fourth United States Marines.
The Japanese Embassy spokesman at the press conference this evening is reported to have made the astounding statement that the Japanese authorities are confident the Municipal Council “will not shirk its responsibility”.
This incident completely confirms the opinion repeatedly expressed that the Japanese forces should not enter the areas south of the Creek. The most elaborate precautions were taken by the municipal authorities to prevent any incident. Japanese military entry into the foreign protected areas with their heavily congested Chinese districts must serve to provoke incidents which seriously affect peace and order and may seriously prejudice the safety of foreign residents. It cannot be too strongly urged that the Japanese Government issue positive instructions to its military commanders to keep their troops outside the areas protected by the foreign neutral forces until the return of normal conditions.
As this telegram is being prepared a report has been received that the Japanese troops will be withdrawn from the area concerned tonight.
Sent to the Department; repeated to Tokyo.