893.48g/8: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China ( Crane )
271. Your 290, October 2, 10 p.m.
Department understands proposed surtax is to be 10 per cent of duties now leviable which in the case of foreign imports are those of the revised tariff of 1919;80 and it assumes that it applies to the levy of duties by the Maritime Customs or by such native custom offices as are under its supervision; and that the arrangement will automatically be discontinued after being in operation one year.
On this understanding and in view of humanitarian purposes for which funds are to be used the Department will interpose no objection to the proposed surtax.