711.00111 Lic. Martin Company, Glenn L./93/22: Telegram
The Consul at Hong Kong ( Donovan ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:30 a.m.]
Your telegram of September 22, 11 a.m. Roland states a Martin bomber formally delivered to Chinese Government May 17th crashed at Nanchang about August 20th. Chinese thereupon exerted pressure on him to take two American mechanics Foster and Gody and proceed to Nanchang to repair plane. Roland asked Consulate General at Shanghai whether desired action would contravene American law and was given a letter citing sections 21 and 22, title 18 and section 167, title 22 of the Code of Laws. Roland transmitted to the Martin Company about September 1st by ordinary mail a copy of Shanghai Consul General’s letter. To escape China pressure he sent the mechanics to Manila to await orders, informing Martin Company of that fact by cable.
Roland understands perfectly Shanghai Consulate General’s letter refers only to work in China on planes already property of Chinese Government and not to assembling in Hong Kong prior to delivery; he is unable to explain how misconception arose at Martin headquarters.
One hundred and fifty word text of Shanghai’s letter will be transmitted if still desired.31