500.C1197/1245: Telegram (part air)

The Consul at Geneva ( Bucknell ) to the Secretary of State

178. Department’s telegram 99, August 27, noon; Consulate’s 176, August 24, 5 p.m.84 Portuguese statement included: “I refer to the [Page 563] declaration which was made to the Advisory Committee by the delegate of the United States of America, according to which about April 3, 1938 a Japanese armed vessel the Singapore Maru is alleged to have reached Macao, et cetera”. He also said: “According to official information, no Japanese armed vessel has approached the ports of Macao since the commencement of the Sino-Japanese conflict.” Context indicates he meant “armed vessel”. He made no other categorical denial but he attempted to show the improbability of all of the details of Fuller’s statement. The full text went forward to the Department August 26.85

The explanation given of the increase in raw opium was the enormous influx of refugees from China.

The Board has been informed privately that the Governor of Macao has been called to Lisbon in connection with the opium investigation.

Bucknell
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