Office of the Historian

393.115/98: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)

Washington, December 22, 1937—7 p.m.

686. Reference Commander-in-Chief’s 0021–1500, first paragraph. An American firm has brought to the Department’s attention a case in which a demand was made for 10 percent of the value of the goods for the release of certain cargo in storage in that part of the International Settlement under the control of the Japanese military, and has stated that it will direct its office in Shanghai to report details to you.

You should take appropriate action in regard to the matter and report to the Department.

The Department would be pleased to receive a report concerning the present status of Japanese restrictions, referred to in the Commander-in-Chief’s telegram under reference and your 1029, November 28, 1 p.m.,47 paragraph 4, and any comment or recommendations which you may care to make as to the advisability of representations at Tokyo.

Hull
  1. Latter not printed.↩