793.94/9339: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 13—11:10 a.m.]
262. 1. A meeting of four Ministers (Foreign, War, Navy, and Finance) was held last night to consider the serious situation at Shanghai. This was followed by an emergency Cabinet meeting this morning resulting in the issuance of a statement which will be reported in the American press.
2. In a conversation with the Naval Attaché after the Cabinet meeting the Senior Aide to the Navy Minister stated that Vice Admiral Hasegawa commanding the Third Squadron at Shanghai had recommended yesterday afternoon that a last effort be made to effect a peaceful [Page 396] settlement. The Japanese naval landing forces at present at Shanghai number only 3,000 and they are faced with the task of guarding 30,000 Japanese nationals now concentrated in the Japanese concession. Against the Japanese at present are 10,000 of the Chinese 88th Division in Chapei and 20,000 to 30,000 of Central forces to the eastward of Chapei in the direction of Woosung. Last night the 88th Division crossed the Nanking-Woosung Railroad and the Japanese landing force took up defensive positions along North Szechuan Road facing the Chinese.
3. The Senior Aide took occasion to say to the Naval Attaché that at yesterday’s meeting of consular officials in Shanghai the American attitude was “very fair and just” whereas the attitude of British, French and other consular officials was “different.”
4. While the Senior Aide was unable to disclose the Japanese plans it is the opinion of the Naval Attaché that no further reenforcements of troops or vessels are to be sent to Shanghai at the present juncture to avoid aggravating the situation. The 4 cruisers and 10 destroyers of the Third Squadron which arrived with the naval landing forces have left Shanghai.
5. Regarding the situation in North China, War Department officers consider the present disposition of Chinese troops as threatening to the safety of the Japanese forces. General Umezu90 informed the Military Attaché that the Japanese would not attack unless the Chinese advanced but the prompt and overwhelming “counter attacks” of Chinese “attacks” at Nankow and Lianghsiang are evidence of the Japanese determination to enforce fulfillment of the various military agreements and to force a definite settlement of the North China situation. (See the Military Attaché’s telegram of August 13 to the War Department91).
Repeated to Nanking.