793.94/11434: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 3—1:15 p.m.]
1073. Your number 598, December 1, 7 p.m. Your suggestion regarding temporary police arrangements for areas on both sides extra-Settlement roads within the foreign defence lines was made here in the concise form that the foreign forces should receive such municipal police assistance for the time being in protecting and insuring [Page 755] order in their sectors. The Japanese objected, maintaining that the municipal police have no authority whatsoever to function off the roads.
At meeting on November 27th of senior naval, military, consular, and municipal authorities it was agreed that the military commanders should discuss the matter with General Harada while interested Consuls General approached the Japanese Consul General.
The military commanders saw General Harada and learned from him that arrangements are being made by the Japanese for an adequate police force to be sent to Shanghai to police areas heretofore policed by the government of greater Shanghai. It was stated that these police had to be trained and that there was no intention of policing the western extension areas until the outside areas had been opened up and conditions were sufficiently normal for troops to be withdrawn from the perimeter. It was stated that these arrangements would take time and due warning would be given.
In view of the foregoing the Consuls General took no further action but the subject came up in an informal discussion I had with the Japanese Consul General on the morning of November 28th before the military commanders had met and I earnestly urged a friendly arrangement. Please see my number 1038, November 29, 8 p.m.
No further action appears to be necessary or desirable at this time.
Repeated to Tokyo.