893.76/61: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai ( Gauss ) to the Secretary of State

26. George Shecklen, representative of RCA Communications, has just informed me by telephone that he has moved into the International Settlement certain radio apparatus set up several months ago at his house for the purpose of radio broadcasts to the United States, that he proposes to use this apparatus for radio messages, and that he expects American protection. Asked as to his authority to maintain such service, he said that the radio broadcast stations had been authorized by the Chinese Ministry of Communications which is the only “legal authority” in Shanghai. I informed Shecklen that I was not in a position to extend him protection in this activity without instructions from the Department and that I expected him to inform me immediately in writing of his intentions which I shall report to the Department with a request for instructions. I cannot believe that his principal will countenance such activities which only lead to serious difficulties with the Japanese.

Gauss