893.512/638: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 18—10:55 a.m.]
817. Legation’s 765, July 27, 6 p.m.
1. Following from American consul at Shanghai:
“August 17, 5 p.m.
[(1)] Last evening Mr. George Sokolsky, an American citizen, telephoned that Dr. C. C. Wu would be glad to have a conversation with me in regard to the proposed September tariff. I consented informally and unofficially to see him. As a result of this morning’s conference he made the following conclusions:
- “First, The proclaimed duties will become effective September 1st;
- “Second, That should protestations [against] particular duty threaten the existence of a foreign business and complaint be made to the Ministry of Finance it will remedy the matter;
- “Third, Nanking will agree to the ‘Peking tariff’.
“I inferred however that this will be done only if protest is made against proposed Nanking tariff.
“(2) Dr. Wu also stated that already the Nanking Government had arranged to admit under the old duty all cargo covered by a bill of lading antedating September 1st, 1927.
“(3) Dr. Wu was greatly disappointed and possibly perturbed that individual foreigners had not approached him for modification of tariff. He manifested marked concern over the possibilities of the establishment by the foreign powers of a ‘consular customs house’ here.
“(4) He requested in conclusion that the foregoing be brought to the attention of the American Minister. Shall I inform my British, French, and Japanese colleagues of this interview?”
2. I am replying as follows:
“August 18, 5 p.m. Your August 17, 5 p.m. (1) I see no objection to your informing your colleagues regarding the interview reported therein unless you promised C. C. Wu to the contrary.”
3. C. C. Wu’s remarks in conjunction with paragraph (3) of Mr. Cunningham’s telegram would seem to indicate a weakening in a determination to push through the illegal exactions at Shanghai even assuming that Wu still can speak authoritatively. A firm attitude on the part of the foreign powers concerned would seem therefore all the more called for at this juncture whether the so-called Nanking [Page 405] regime exists any longer with as uncertain an authority as heretofore or, should a new regime come into being, composed of the remnants of Nanking and Wuhan.