393.1164 University of Shanghai/83: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 1—3:20 p.m.]
2. Reference Department’s telegram No. 660, December 30, 4 p.m.70 regarding University of Shanghai. The Associated Press correspondent responsible for the report referred to by the Department informs me that at a press conference with the Japanese he phrased the questions to which the naval spokesman gave his assent as quoted. Locally published reports of the press conference did not include any statement that the University would not be returned to its owners while hostilities continued in China. The attitude mentioned in the Associated Press despatch, while not put into so many words, has for some time been inferred from conversations with Japanese officials. See our telegrams No. 1122, August 17, 5 p.m.; and paragraph 3 of my 1408, November 10, 5 [9] p.m.; also my despatch No. 1814 of November 15.71
This Consulate General has succeeded in arranging for the removal of books and equipment from the University property and negotiations with regard to repairs to the buildings are now proceeding [Page 558] satisfactorily between the mission representatives and the Japanese authorities after having been initiated by this office.72