893.512/690: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 7—4:27 p.m.]
914. 1. Following from American consul general, Canton,63 which was not repeated to Department awaiting clarification not yet received.
“September 30, 4 p.m. Local authorities have announced the collection of ten percent of the surtaxes of two and a half percent which were originally assessed to pay off Canton Hong Kong strikers. The original two and a half surtax was abolished but it would appear that the strikers have not received the proceeds. The usual formal protest which I am making will be uneffective unless the Legation is prepared to take other measures such as the releasing of seized cargoes by our Navy. Suggest Legation consult British Legation at Peking.”
2. This morning Japanese Minister called meeting consisting of himself, British and French Ministers and myself to consider situation. [Page 420] Inquiry was made of me whether American Government would be willing, should necessity arise, to put into effect at Canton consular clearance procedure adopted at Shanghai. I stated that I could not give definite answer and that anyway I felt position at Canton was not similar to that at Shanghai; that without serious consideration and further information from American consul at Canton I was not prepared recommend adoption there of consular clearance procedure unless it was prepared for eventual force protective measures which my instructions clearly did not endeavor visage [envisage?].
3. I was forced to leave meeting at this juncture owing previous engagement. After my departure three Ministers concerned decided on the following action.
- (1)
- Telegraphic instructions to their respective consuls general at Canton to proceed together to see the local authorities and make representations in strong terms, warning them that the import tariff must not be arbitrarily altered without the prior consent of the powers. The consuls general to use such terms as, after consultation with one another, they consider best.
- (2)
- To inform their respective Governments of the action taken and to recommend that if unsuccessful they should fall back on the procedure adopted at Shanghai.
4. I was asked if I could join in above telegraphic instructions. In view of your 304, August 2, 1 p.m.,64 and similar directions, I did not feel I could as I was apprehensive that they might convey impression that they authorize adoption of threatening attitude with implication of use of force particularly in respect of the last sentence. British Minister with whom I have just discussed the matter assures me to the contrary but in order to be entirely safe I decided to instruct American consul at Canton as follows:
“October 7, 6 p.m. Your September 30, 4 p.m.
- Paragraph number 1. You may join with your consular colleagues concerned in protesting against any arbitrary alternation [alteration?] of the present import tariff without the consent of the powers. You should not in any circumstances however join in any representations which would threaten or imply the use of force by the United States in support of treaty rights.
- Paragraph number 2. Please telegraph me at once in full your comment on the feasibility of adopting at Canton the procedure now in force at Shanghai in respect of consular clearances in the event your protest [is?] unsuccessful.”
5. I trust this is in line with your desire to maintain cooperation with other interested powers while at the same time not involving [Page 421] United States in use of force for protection of our treaty rights or conveying any such threat.
6. I shall telegraph further concerning feasibility of adoption at Canton of Shanghai procedure after receiving Huston’s report in this.