893.711/136: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 23—2:35 p.m.]
305. Department’s 158, February 21, 7 p.m.68 Twenty Japanese censors formerly with Japanese Ministry of Communications, but understood now to be under the military, have taken up quarters in the main post office building in the International Settlement north of Soochow Creek. Their [exact?] plans are not yet known but the Director of Posts believes censorship will begin very soon. The Director interprets lapse of almost 3 months since first threat of postal censorship, as possible lack of [eagerness] to undertake the task at Shanghai. He believes an immediate protest by interested powers before censorship actually begins might receive consideration at Tokyo but that any protest after censorship is instituted will be too late.
Repeated to Tokyo.
- Not printed.↩