893.512/470: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
297. Your telegram 611 of December 11th, 3 p.m. The authorization to proceed on course suggested in your 598, December 4th, 4 p.m., is granted. It would be the preference of this Government to avoid being involved in the matter of directions to the Customs as to which of the parties at each port in China the collected revenue should be paid. Department does not believe that in the authorization to impose the surtaxes this should be made one of the conditions. The entire settlement of this question should be left to the Maritime Customs. However, in view of the fact that on the requirements of the situation you have a more intimate knowledge than the Department, this question is left to your discretion.