893.102S/1920: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 22—6 a.m.]
927. Your 408, October 20, 8 p.m. I am thoroughly in accord and have taken the action suggested. The United Press under Washington dateline of 21st reports that the Secretary of State announced last night that the United States will cooperate in all branches with the Shanghai Municipal Council in settling incidents such as the armed attack on municipal police in outside road area. The report states that Mr. Hull said action to be taken would be left to the discretion of the local government in Shanghai, the Shanghai Municipal Council, and that local American officials here are giving full attention to such incidents and cooperating in all branches to settle them. The report continues that observers in Washington saw in Mr. Hull’s phrase “cooperating in all branches” an indication that the United States is prepared to answer any request for armed protection of American lives and property in the Shanghai outside road area which recently was invaded by Japanese controlled police. The report has been played up in the local press.
Sent to Department only.