893.102S/2050: Telegram
The Consul at Shanghai (Butrick) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 16—9:29 a.m.]
425. Return of settlement area north of Soochow Creek to Council’s control. Reference my 400, May 8, 2 p.m. Secretary and Commissioner General of the Shanghai Municipal Council called upon the Japanese Consul General, Mr. Miura, on May 14 and informed him that the Council felt it necessary to bring to his attention the question of the functioning of the district court in view of his aide-mémoire handed to the Chairman of the Municipal Council on March 1 and that it is not within the power of the Council to solve the problem of the district court but grouped [it is?] within the competence of the interested foreign powers and that in [order?] to prevent misunderstanding and friction it should be understood before E Division is constituted that cases arising in [to?] the north of the creek will be taken to the only officially recognized court in the Settlement. Miura asked whether any effort had been made to obtain acceptance of his suggestion for dual appointment of judges of the court and was informed that the reaction was definitely unfavorable. The interview was reported as very friendly with the Japanese Consul General apparently appreciative of the Council’s point of view.
I was reliably informed a few days ago that the judges would not accept dual appointment unless so instructed by Chungking.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping; code text by airmail to Tokyo.