793.94/2829: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 22—10:40 a.m.]
985. Following from American Consul General at Shanghai:
“November 21, noon. Though no condition has arisen which the Shanghai Municipal police could not handle without assistance, recent happenings in other parts of the world have rendered conditions in [Page 532] Shanghai even more tense and necessitate greater precautionary measures than during any recent period. The Japanese marines are renewing their conspicuous activities, insisting they are necessary. The statement has been made, and I am inclined to concur in it, that the Japanese themselves are responsible for much of the anti-Japanese demonstrations. Their action would indicate that they believe an attack is the best defense, while the municipal authorities consider that an incident caused by such attack would possibly create a much worse antiforeign demonstration. The Japanese cotton mills which employ some 60,000 workmen are curtailing their activities prior to finally carrying out of tentative agreement reached some days ago to close their mills sometime later because of the boycott. The Shanghai Municipal Council gave orders yesterday that Russian police be transferred to the northern district where a lot of Japanese residences [reside?] and in future so far as possible the Japanese police of the Shanghai Municipal Council will be in seclusion. This is a commendable precautionary move. While the Settlement authorities have succeeded remarkably well in the trying circumstances since the middle of September, the future is one which will require skill and tact to deal with.
The Chinese students in their enthusiasm to collect funds for General Ma Chan-shan during 2 days disregarded the refusal of the Shanghai Municipal Council to allow them to collect contributions in the Settlement and greatly interfered with traffic as well as the order of the Settlement. Last night they were informed that police would enforce its prohibition against soliciting funds in the Settlement. It is hoped today will see an improvement in the traffic conditions. Nanking informed.[”]