793.94112/312: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Myers) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 28—6 a.m.]
8. Reference my 162, December 31, 4 p.m.35 Information obtained by the Commissioner of Customs from the Japanese Consulate General is to the effect that the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers will be opened at the same time; that the Pearl River will be opened gradually; that during the first stage cargo transportation will be limited to a certain number of river steamers plying between Hong Kong and Canton, coastal and other river vessels wishing to enter will be required to obtain special permission for each trip (the procedure which has been in force); [Page 488] that in addition to customs rules and regulations all vessels will have to conform to special rules as to navigation hours, pilotage, et cetera; that the Japanese authorities intend creating very shortly a pilotage board which will at outset be controlled by Japanese Navy but will be handed over to Customs after river is reopened.
As regards staff, the Consulate General has according to the Commissioner indicated that until the river is opened unconditionally (when 32 Japanese members of the staff will be required) the Japanese will be satisfied with 16 members including one each administrative commissioner, assistant, additional harbor master, and examiner and 12 tide waiters. The 7 officers now on transfer from Tientsin are regarded as part of this number and apparently will meet immediate requirements.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong.