793.94/9388: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
Shanghai, August 15,
1937—11 a.m.
[Received 2 p.m.]
[Received 2 p.m.]
486. Admiral Yarnell and staff held a conference this morning at Consulate General with Marine Commander and myself.
- 2.
- The President Taft which is off mouth of the Yangtze, homeward bound, is to come into Woosung and passengers will be sent down by tender. Advice will be given quietly that women and children should be sent away as rapidly as transportation is available. Other American ships expected in. Agents of ships will be advised to make available all possible facilities for those desiring passage. Americans to be given preference.
- 3.
- Yarnell plans to reinforce the east garrison here with what small number of men may be available from the Fleet. He also proposes to recommend that a force of about 1,000 marines stand by in the United States to be sent to Shanghai in the case of necessity to assist in defending the American sector against stragglers and to provide adequate relief for the present force. There is no thought of bringing in sufficient men to defend the foreign areas with [against?] an organized invasion by the Chinese Army. The idea is that our present forces are inadequate to carry out our obligations on the sector allocated to Americans. The increase in our force, if made, would be in proportion to what is being done by the British and French. I am thoroughly in accord with this view and heartily endorse it.
- 4.
- Situation at Shanghai this morning much easier. There has been no further Chinese bombing. A typhoon is over the Shanghai area.
- 5.
- Japanese Vice Consul informs us this morning that several squadrons of Japanese planes from Formosa yesterday afternoon bombed the Hangchow and Kuangteh airdromes and destroyed a number of Chinese bombing planes. Planes from Japanese flagship were stated to have destroyed Hungjao airdrome near Shanghai. In regard to general military situation, he said Chinese attack had been repulsed and Japanese Navy could hold their positions for several weeks. Japanese Army reinforcements are stated to be preparing to come to Shanghai but have not yet left Japan.
- 6.
- Japanese Vice Consul informed me, for his Consul General, that he had received a reply from Tokyo in reference to the plans mentioned in my 473 of Aug. 13, 9 a.m. [p.m.],49 and that in view of the development in the situation and stiffening of the attitude of the Japanese Navy nothing can be done in the matter.
- 7.
- Press reports will supply Department details of effects of the Chinese bombing operations over the foreign area yesterday. It is significant that the Chinese Air Force has accomplished absolutely nothing except the wanton killing of the Chinese refugees who flock the streets of Shanghai with no place to go.
Repeated to Nanking, Peiping, and Tokyo.
Gauss