394.1153 Smith Company, Werner G./8: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 10—1:40 p.m.]
811. Department’s 364, June 8, 6 p.m., wood oil belonging to Werner G. Smith Company. I took up personally with Hidaka on June 1 the release of the wood oil and left with him a memorandum on the subject. Further representations have been made since and 2 days ago the Japanese naval authorities seemed inclined to release the wood oil immediately but the orders were not forthcoming. Yesterday the matter was discussed by Vice Consul Espy with a member of the staff of the Japanese Consulate General. The latter spoke with the Japanese naval authorities. They stated that they will have an answer as to the release of the wood oil and the arrangements for its delivery after they have consulted with their officials in Nanking. This answer is promised within 1 or 2 days, and if unsatisfactory I will then ask Tokyo in its discretion to make further representations.
Repeated to Embassy at Hankow, Nanking and Tokyo.