793.94112/318: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Myers) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 7—12:12 p.m.]
Reference my 8, January 27, 2 p.m. Temporary regulations of the Pearl River pilotage service, administered by the Japanese Army and Navy, have, according to a communication from the Japanese Consul General, been put into effect as from February 1st. The regulations provide inter alia that they are inapplicable to Japanese warships and military chartered vessels; that only pilots on the non-official staff of the army and navy are permitted to pilot vessels within the pilotage ground of the Pearl River (from which Whampoa is excluded); that vessels of less than 500 gross tons or less than 8 feet draught may be operated without a pilot; that pilotage fees as set forth shall be charged (these are about three times former fees); that infractions of the regulations shall be dealt with according to Japanese military regulations; and that they are to be in force during the closure of the river (presumably until it is reopened unconditionally ) As stated in the Japanese Consul General’s letter, foreign naval vessels are not affected by those regulations.
Repeated to Chungking.
The regulations appear to be particularly objectionable in that they introduce compulsory pilotage contrary to previous practice and treaty provisions (British treaty of Tientsin, article 3542) and prescribe that infractions of the regulations are punishable according to Japanese military regulations. Other objectionable features are the excessive pilotage rates and the inapplicability of the regulations to Japanese military chartered vessels which have been carrying commercial cargo and are likely to continue to transport and discharge it at Whampoa.
American interests are not confronted by the regulations. However, I feel that a protest based on the first two objections mentioned above would be desirable and subject to the Embassy’s approval I propose to make such protest when acknowledging Japanese Consul General’s communication.
[Page 495]British interests are directly affected and Consul General has protested and reserved all rights.
Sent to Peiping, repeated to Chungking.
- British and Foreign State Papers, vol. xlviii, pp. 47, 54.↩