893.6363/151: Telegram

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

273. Your 548, April 15, 5 p.m. Following for Toyko:

“Your 248, April 15, 11 a.m.,21 in regard to the possible formation of a north China oil company.

The first paragraph of your telegram under reference might be open to the inference that the British Commercial Counselor assents to the idea that the Japanese have a right to ration to the foreign companies ‘a fair share of any natural increase’ in the north China market for petroleum products. The Department would not assent to such an idea. With this understanding in mind the Department authorizes you to leave with the Japanese Foreign Office a memorandum along the lines of the British memorandum.”

Please repeat to Hankow and to Peiping for information.

Welles
  1. See supra.