893.102S/2045: Telegram
The Consul at Shanghai (Butrick) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 12—12:10 p.m.]
410. Commissioner of Police Bourne’s report of his interview with Major General Miura, commanding Japanese gendarmerie, has been made available to me and copies have been given to commanding officer Fourth Marines by Simmons, commanding general British forces here. On the night of May 10, following a shooting affray that afternoon in the central district of the Settlement, Miura requested an interview [Page 737] with Bourne. Miura and two accompanying Japanese officers were in uniform with commanding general. Interview which began at 12:40 a.m., 11th, continued until 4 a.m. Bourne feels that only two points were of importance (1) Miura hoped the municipal police would do everything possible to stamp out pro-Chungking armed activity during next month or drastic steps by Japanese Army might be necessary. Bourne asked if this were a threat which he should convey to the British and American defense commanders, whereupon Akagi, Special Deputy Commissioner of Municipal Police, took over the interpretation to explain that gendarmerie wished to do nothing offensive, but were hardpressed by high military authorities; (2) Miura said confidentially that he had instructions from Tokyo to discontinue the Wang Ching Wei anti-Chungking assassinations in Shanghai. Bourne feels that if Miura threat was bluff it is relatively unimportant, but if he unintentionally has “let the cat out of the bag” it may be a serious matter. As the police have proof that certain recent assassinations were instigated by organizations under the control of Chungking, it may be opportune in view of point 2 to have the embassy again suggest to the Chinese Government the advisability of doing what it can to suppress terrorism in Shanghai to assist in the maintenance of peace and order here. At the same time, if the British Ambassador in Tokyo is similarly inclined, I would suggest that the American Embassy informally bring matter to the attention of the Japanese Government [as to?] the advisability of doing away with the armed special service forces (gangsters) operating under the orders [of the] Wang Ching Wei regime with the support of the Japanese. In his report under reference Bourne says that he informed Miura that the criminals involved in the May 10th shooting, which began in the customs premises outside police jurisdiction, were connected with a Japanese sponsored gambling house in Jessfield Road and that he has repeatedly foretold to the gendarmerie during the past year and a half the danger of these gambling houses, opium dens, and groups of hired assassins at 76 Jessfield Road, 22 Singapore Road, 35 Edinburgh Road and other localities. (Most of such dives are in the British and Italian defense sectors.)
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, and Tokyo.