793.94/3647: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
Shanghai, January 25, 1932—2
p.m.
[Received January 26—4:30 a.m.]
[Received January 26—4:30 a.m.]
The following telegram has been sent to the Legation:
“January 25, 5 [1?] p.m. Referring to my telegram of January 23, noon.42
- 1.
- I learn that the demands presented Mayor by the Japanese
Consul General in connection with assault on Japanese monks
(my January 20, 5 p.m.43) were:
- (1)
- That Mayor tender an official apology;
- (2)
- That the assailants be arrested and punished;
- (3)
- That compensation and hospital bills be paid;
- (4)
- That all anti-Japanese activities be suppressed and all anti-Japanese organizations dissolve at once.
- In my conversation with Mayor on Saturday44 he stated that first three demands could probably be satisfactorily settled but that he could not suppress anti-Japanese activities and associations so long as they remain within the law but that he would suppress their illegal activities. I learn this morning from the Mayor’s office that the demands are still under consideration. One of the Japanese monks assaulted has died. (These monks, five in number, were assaulted January 18th by Chinese workers in Chinese territory near the Settlement.)
- 2.
- Japanese squadron arrived January 23rd and landed approximately 500 marines in the Settlement with equipment.
- 3.
- The Min Kuo [Yih] Pao, a Chinese paper published in the Settlement, has been closely guarded by municipal police for 2 days as a result of demands for apology, et cetera, made on paper by Japanese Navy in connection with articles published.
- 4.
- Shanghai was very excited yesterday. An explosion occurred at 3:30 p.m. which broke many windows in various parts of the Settlement and French Concession 5 or 6 miles away. Two lighters carrying explosives from Pootung to Kiangnan Arsenal blew up apparently accidentally because of faulty handling.
- 5.
- I learn from authoritative source that W. H. Donald, formerly adviser to Chang Hsueh-liang, has been employed by Mayor in connection with Sino-Japanese negotiations particularly to assist in drafting reply to Japanese demands.
- 6.
- Although the Japanese naval authorities have shown every desire to keep in touch with Settlement authorities as per the agreement mentioned in my telegram January 23, noon, I believe they would not hesitate to disregard this agreement if it suited their purpose.”
Cunningham