Imperial Valley press., 1932-02-01
j, s, TO
PROTECT
CITIZENS
Warships, Marines And
Soldiers Being Rushed
From Manila.
SITUATION is TENSE
Strong Protest Made To-
day By American Min
lister To Japan.
By JOSEPH II. BAIRD
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON. Feb. IA form
liable array of American warships,
an infantry regiment of 1000 SOL
diers, and $50 marines were cutting
through the blue Pacific today
toward Shanghai to protect Amer
ican life and property.
The state department meanwhile
prepared to make new representa-
tionS to Japan for damage to Am
erican property in the internation-
al settlement. Already other rep
reservations and formal protest
are pending in Toxic.
Word reached Washington that
Ambassador Forbes had delivered
an indignant" protest to the Toxic
office in behalf of the American
government. He was joined, it was
reported, by representatives of Italy
and Great Britain. Other dispatch
es indicated France might finally
join the other powers in such rep
resentations.
patched reinforcements to Shang-
hal, and ii was reported France
might follow suit.
American Minister Nelson T.
johnson, normally stationed in
Peiping. is enroute TO Marking pre-
sumably to treat with Chinese
leaders about the Shanghai situa-
tion.
The administration has decided
to throw the weight of all readily
available forces in the Orient
against the danger of an outbreak
In the international settlement
Already American property has
been damaged there during three
days of fighting between japanese
and Chinese.
Decision to increase the Ameri-
can forces now at Shanghai-l2OO
marines and two destroyers-was
reached at a White House confer
ence late yesterday. While motor
lists and strollers took advantage
OF a Sunday Afternoon and went
about the city in holiday mood
President Hoover called together
the nations military leaders in one
of the gravest conferences since
World war days.
WASHINGTON. Feb. /. U.P)-
Secretary of State Stimson has in
structed Consul General Edwin
Cunningham at Shanghai to CO.
operate with the League of Ma
tions commission to investigate
conditions in Shanghai, the United
Press learned today.
The American consul, it was
learned, will cooperate with the
league commission. but will not
actually be a member of it. The
commission, composed of the con-
sular representatives of league mem
bers, will make its report to Gen.
eva.
Decision of the United States tC
cooperate was made known to the
league last night. Several days age
the Geneva body asked the United
States to take part in the investi-
CATION.
Admiral NJ. NJ. Taylor, command
er in chief of the Asiatic fleet, ad-
vised the navy department he ex-
pected to arrive in Shanghai or
board his flagship the heavy cruis-
er, Houston, early Wednesday.
Taylor said he departed from
Manila at 1910 a. M, (EST), today
carrying five marine officers anC
248 marines that he had taken of
the navy transport Chaumont ano
three marine officers and rs mer
from marine quarters at Cayite, P
I.
The admiral also said that sever
destroyers had left Manila shortly
before he departed.
The destroyers were due a
Shanghai late Thursday afternoon
Stimson Mum
He said the Chaumont, with thu
3lst infantry regiment, compris
ing approximately 1000 men, ant
10 marines from Cavite, expected
to leave Manila early tomorrow.
The state department issued
formal statement explaining tina
American troops and ships hat
been ordered to Shanghai solely TO
the protection of American live
and property.
The statement was interpreted a
assurance that the United State
did not have in mind a conflic
with any force now at Shangha
but was merely discharging its OBJ
legation toward its citizens in th
danger area.
Secretary of States Stimson, tiret
and worn after a weekend spen
in dealing with the Shanghai prob
lem. met with newspapermen for
brief conference today. He appear
ed unusually strained and grave
The secretary declined to discus
details of the Shanghai situation
or to make any statement for pub
L -