893.5045/5–2347: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 23—12:30 a.m.]
1251. Local Kuomintang, independent and liberal press giving very extensive coverage to student strike news throughout China. Student counter-strike movement urging return to classes, started last weekend, appears to be losing ground. There is no sign that strikes will [Page 140] be terminated in near future. (Reference my telegram 900, May 21, 8 p.m., repeated Department as 1238.13)
Ex-Youth troops14 were repulsed on 21st by Chinan University students when former attempted to hold meeting on campus. Arrival garrison officials prevented open conflict.
Police watching situation very closely and have stationed plain-clothesmen at close hand to universities involved. Police attended two student meetings held on 21st. Press reports student fight at Shanghai law college in which several were injured and six arrested by police.
Shanghai Federation of National University Students met at Tung-chi University 21st to consider publicity measures for protesting Nanking incident.15
For third consecutive day press carried official notice of prohibition of parades and demonstrations and threat of severe punishment for violators. Possible imposition of martial law hinted.
Source stated 22d that student agitators from Nanking at work on St. John’s University campus. Anti-civil war posters plastered over buildings and speeches being given by noted leftist leader Mao Yin-chu and others. He stated that he believes strike will be called 23d. If this eventuates, school plans to suspend classes for several days. Shanghai University has suspended all classes and is attempting to close school temporarily.
Sent to Nanking 915, repeated to Department 1251.