893.0146/527: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
270. Your telegrams 475, October 2, 1 p.m., 504, October 16, 6 p.m., and despatch 749, October 3, and Shanghai’s despatches 387, September 11, and 416, October 5, 1936,98 concerning the Shanghai Volunteer Corps.
The Department is in general agreement with the views expressed in the communications under reference, both in regard to the Shanghai Volunteer Corps and the retention, for such time as may be necessary for the protection of American life and property, of the American Landing Force at Shanghai. The Department agrees with the Embassy’s view that the question of the practicability of using the American Landing Force to protect American residents beyond the settlement borders must be left to the Senior American Naval Officer concerned.
As it is neither practicable nor advisable for the Department to make any definite response to the inquiry of the Chairman of the Council in regard to the retention of the American Landing Force at Shanghai, it is suggested that Gauss, as on his own initiative, informally reply (orally or in writing) to the Chairman to the effect that questions relating to the size or maintenance of the Volunteer Corps are matters for the municipality to decide and that as the American Landing Force at Shanghai was originally sent there for the purpose of protecting the large number of American citizens residing in that port from the dangers incident to serious disorders beyond the control of the local authorities and continues to be maintained as a temporary measure for the protection of American citizens and their property it would obviously not be possible to give any assurance as to how long the Force might be retained there. The Department, however, perceives no objection to Gauss informally discussing the matter with the Chairman of the Council in greater detail.
With regard to the recommendation contained in paragraph 2 of your telegram No. 475, the Department seriously questions whether the present is an opportune time for the American Government to take the initiative of approaching the British or other interested Governments for the purpose of discussing the whole question of the international settlement and its protection.
The Department raises for your and Gauss’ consideration the question of the advisability of Gauss deferring the making of his reply until the British Consul General has made a reply.
- Despatches not printed.↩