893.102 S/929
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 12.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit a sketch75 which might furnish a basis, should occasion arise, of a proposal by which many questions that have threatened the existence of the International Settlement for [Page 404] some years past would be eliminated, and any future invasion, under the guise of defence of the Settlement, by any power for the purpose of carrying on a military campaign against the Chinese would be prevented. The particular object in transmitting this outline at the moment is to place it in the files of the Department so that it may be referred to economically by cable should occasion arise.
Mr. Justice Feetham in his report on Shanghai77 suggested that a charter might be procured from the Chinese Government, and therefore the word “charter” is well established in correspondence with reference to some form of municipal government for Greater Shanghai. This outline has been carefully prepared and has been favorably considered in principle by quite a few people. I look with considerable favor upon the proposal myself, generally speaking. I would not call the new administration the “Free Port of Shanghai,” preferring to use the title “Greater Shanghai.”
Things are happening so rapidly now that I am constrained to believe that an occasion may arise when such a proposal might be opportune. More than a fortnight ago I suggested that such a proposal should be made by the Chinese Government, and this seemed to be viewed with some favor for a few days. However, there is no chance at the present time of the proposal being made by the Chinese Government, and whether there will be in the future remains to be seen. The person responsible for this outline considers that it would be most desirable for the American Government to propose a scheme of this character for the settlement of all questions relative to this great port of Shanghai.
It is not improbable that before this despatch is received it may be considered desirable to cable a general outline,—I do not know, everything depends upon developments and opportunities. The Department is aware that I have spent a good many years endeavoring to find some solution for the various questions that concern the Shanghai Municipal Council, including the extra-Settlement roads and concomitant questions.78 Some of those interested in this scheme at one time suggested that certain officers should be appointed by the League of Nations. This is no longer in favor locally, since the League of Nations is out of favor at the present time in Shanghai, and therefore they have substituted the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague.
Respectfully yours,