693.002/1131: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
Washington, October
25, 1941—5 p.m.
247. Shanghai’s 1520, October 20, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- The Department desires that you exercise your discretion in regard to the question whether the American Consul General at Shanghai should give to the Inspector General in writing the statement mentioned in paragraph numbered 1 of the telegram under reference.
- 2.
- The Department assumes that the American Consul General has pointed out to the Inspector General of Customs the simple and obvious fact that in protesting against an effort by a third power to force the appointment of one of its nationals to a specific post in the Chinese Maritime Customs this Government was not attempting to interfere with the administration of the Chinese Maritime Customs but was endeavoring to assist toward preventing such interference by others. It is the apparent disinclination of the Inspector General to perceive this distinction without having it expressly pointed out to [Page 820] him that causes the Department to have any hesitancy in regard to the advisability of making available to the Inspector General the written statement referred to in paragraph numbered 1 of this telegram.
Sent to Chungking. Repeated to Shanghai.
Hull