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Apart from my above-mentioned communication of the 15th instant, in which I drew your special attention, you must have been in possession of reports of terrorist activities being contemplated to commit during the Lunar New Year holidays. It was, therefore, the duty of the municipal council to take the strictest measures of precaution during these days. According to reliable information, however, the council sent a large number of members of the police force off duty on the Lunar New Year's Day, thus weakening the actual strength of the force at a time when it ought to have been augmented. Such an attitude on the part of the municipal council is difficult to understand. and I cannot help expressing my doubt about its sincerity.
"In regard to the Nanking Road outrage committed against the Japanese in the employ of the Japanese army, it is to be pointed out that several non- Japanese constables, who reached the scene of the crime immediately after the occurrence and witnessed the perpetrators, allowed them to make good their escape. The Japanese authorities are compelled to entertain a great doubt about the ability of the municipal police constables.
"The maintenance of peace and order in Shanghai concerns not only Shanghai itself but the whole area under Japanese occupation. Breach of peace and order in Shanghai has serious effects upon the peace and order and the pacification of people in the whole Japanese occupied area, and therefore cannot be viewed with indifference by the Japanese authorities, who are endeavouring for the establishment of a new order in East Asia.
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The Japanese authorities have hitherto relied on the sincerity of the Shanghai Municipal Council, and patiently trusted in its efforts to maintain peace and order in the Settlement, despite the frequent occurrence of anti- Japanese outrages. In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, however, the Japanese authorities regard it of imminent necessity to adopt proper and effective measures for the maintenance of peace and order in Shanghai, and the Japanese authorities hereby submit to you the following requests :-
"1. That the emergency proclamation of the municipal council dated the 19th July, 1938, concerning the arrest and expulsion of criminals, shall be strictly enforced.
2. That the Japanese police organs, including the gendarmerie and the consular police, should at whatever place and time necessary, in the International Settlement, take necessary measures for the protection of the Japanese subjects and the suppression of terrorism, and thus co-operate with the municipal police force. "3. That the Japanese authorities, when they deem it necessary, should, in co-operation with the municipal authorities, search the Chinese people entering the Settlement from, or leaving it to, the Wangpoo River or the Soochow Creek, and the goods carried by them, and detain them if necessary.
"4. That the Japanese branch of the municipal police should immediately
be strengthened.
"5. That the search of Chinese people at key points in the Settlement should
be enforced immediately.
I have to add that the Japanese authorities reserve the right to make other demands in connexion with the matter.
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'I should be grateful if you would be good enough to let me have your reply at your earliest convenience.
"I have, &c.,
"Y. MIURA, Consul-General.”
G. GODFREY PHILLIPS,
X
Secretary.