893.102 Kulangsu/210: Telegram
The Consul at Amoy (MacVitty) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 20—4:40 p.m.]
85. 1. With reference to the Department’s telegram to [via?] Shanghai of July 17 [14?], 6 [4?] p.m. numbered this office’s [sic] No. 24. I have at all times endeavored to suggest to the Japanese Consul General a reasonable solution of the Kulangsu situation; however, Mr. Uchida’s attitude has always been, and as recently as July 14 was, one of insistence upon the appointment of a Japanese inspector by the Council without reference to the ratepayers; and in all conversations he has consistently Used veiled threats as to what may happen if his demands are not complied with. Despite the above, I will continue to endeavor to secure a reasonable adjustment of the situation, but I greatly fear that local negotiations will continue to be at an impasse until Mr. Uchida is instructed to adopt a more conciliatory attitude. In this connection reference is made to paragraph 2 of my telegram No. 75, July 13, 6 p.m. in which it was stated that the Municipal Council had requested the Japanese Consul General to call a special ratepayers meeting at which he could propose the appointment of an inspector; he has completely ignored this letter.
[Page 138]2. Since the receipt of the telegram above referred to, I have had conversations with my colleagues, members of the Municipal Council, and European residents, and the general opinion appears to be that the Japanese demands are entirely unreasonable and must be resisted even to the point of sending women and children away from Kulangsu. This opinion is being stiffened daily by the action of the Japanese in each day diminishing the supplies from Amoy and the threats made in the Amoy newspapers as to the probable cutting off of the water supply.
3. The attitude toward the appointment of a Japanese inspector to rank second to the Chief of Police is that if this appointment is made it will only be a short time before the Japanese authorities find some means of removing Captain Bass, the Secretary of the Municipal Council and Chief of Police, and then demanding these positions.
4. The new depreciation of the Chinese dollar is an added handicap to the Municipal Council in incurring any additional expense.
5. In conclusion it must be stated that from my experience in local negotiations I cannot help being of the opinion that the Japanese are not sincere in wanting to settle the matter except upon their own terms.
Repeated to Peiping, Chungking and Shanghai.