893.102S/1922a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)
Washington, October 21, 1939—7
p.m.
413. Reference your 869, September 29, 11 a.m., Department’s 378, September 29, 6 p.m., your 893, October 6, 10 a.m., and your 902, October 9, 2 p.m., in regard to the western extra-Settlement roads area.
- 1.
- United Press report with Shanghai date line of October 21 carries sensational reports of defense measures being taken in the western area by Settlement police supported by British troops and contains statement that the American Chairman of the Municipal Council confers today with Japanese-sponsored Chinese authorities and then will decide whether to ask the aid of American marines for the protection of American lives and property in the western area. The United Press report also attributes to Franklin the statement that he was highly gratified by the statement made at Washington yesterday by the American Secretary of State to the effect that American Government officials at Shanghai had discretion in regard to action there.
- 2.
- The Department’s attitude toward statements such as that attributed to Franklin in regard to the question of asking the aid of American marines is set forth in the Department’s telegram no. 408, October 20, 8 p.m., paragraph 2. The comment made by the Secretary at his press conference on October 20 related, as you will note from Radio Bulletin no. 249 of October 20,93 to incidents in the International Settlement and disputes between local police and police assigned to duties outside the Settlement.
- 3.
- The Department concurs in your attitude and that of the Commander-in-Chief as reported in your telegram No. 902, October 9, 2 p.m. If developments should occur in the western extra-Settlement roads area with which the responsible police and other authorities now there are unable to cope, and if it should appear advisable that American marines be sent into that area to protect the lives of American citizens, the Department inclines to the view that their mission should be that of affording protection to persons (American citizens) on an emergency basis, purely temporary, and with no intention of assuming the responsibilities of a police force in and for the area involved.
- 4.
- Please bring the expression of the Department’s attitude as indicated in paragraph 3 above to the attention of the senior American naval officer at Shanghai, and if you and he are in agreement therewith [Page 98] the Department suggests for consideration that in your discretion you explain the situation orally and in confidence to Franklin.
- 5.
- Please keep Department informed of developments.
Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to Chungking and Peiping.
Hull