893.6363 Manchuria/294: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan ( Grew )

62. The Standard-Vacuum Oil Company has informed the Department that it desires to press its claim in Manchuria which has been left in abeyance pending the outcome of negotiations in regard to its business in Japan. The Company proposes to act concurrently with the Asiatic Petroleum Company, which is requesting assistance of the British Foreign Office, and to make representations simultaneously at Hsinking and at Tokyo. The company has requested that the Embassy be instructed to support its representations at Tokyo. The company further proposes in its discussions with the authorities at Tokyo and at Hsinking to confine its arguments to the subject of the commercial losses incurred and to endeavor to avoid the raising of political issues.

Before reaching a decision in regard to the company’s request the Department would welcome an expression of the Embassy’s views.

Hull