793.94/11843: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Sokobin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:45 p.m.]
At a meeting of the local Consular Corps on December 25, which I was unable to attend, there was discussed the responsibility of preserving order in Tsingtao in the event of the departure of Chinese [Page 420] municipal police and other Chinese authorities before the arrival of Japanese forces. The following appears in the minutes of the meeting:
“It was suggested and agreed that each Consul would send a circular to find out how many of his own nationals would act as special constables in case of need. They should wear a special brassard, which [should?] be prepared in advance, and would be armed with truncheon (baton). It was felt that the presence of foreigners and the men-of-war kept the Chinese from losing their heads.”
Today the Senior Consul General (British) asked me to define position of this Consulate on the subject of the “constables”. This Consulate replied that under no circumstances could it sanction the assumption of police powers by any group of American citizens in Tsingtao. Is this reply approved?
Sent to the Department, Peiping, Hankow.