793.94/4366: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Shanghai, February 22, 1932—10
a.m.
[Received February 22—7:30 a.m.]
[Received February 22—7:30 a.m.]
The following résumé of violations of the neutrality of that portion of the International Settlement assigned to the 4th Regiment, United States Marine Corps, has been reported to me.
- 1.
- The Japanese placed troops in cotton mills and patrols in area assigned Americans. American commander and Chinese protested. When on January 31st two Chinese “men were bayoneted and on February 1st a Chinese boy shot in the American sector, on protest by American commander Japanese withdrew patrols but left mill guards.
- 2.
- January 31st 16 armed ronins found in American sector were arrested.
- 3.
- February 3rd firing and signaling from Japanese mill in the American sector. On protest by American commander all Japanese [Page 415] mill guard troops were withdrawn from American and British sectors. This withdrawal was carried out February 4th.
- 4.
- February 18th and 19th in spite of warning there was more signaling from Japanese mills by mill employees. A search of various mills was made by United States Marines and search lights, and lanterns, arms, ammunition, et cetera, found and seized.
Johnson