893.841 Surtax/18: Telegram
The Minister in China ( MacMurray ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 2—8:25 a.m.]
785. Legation’s 780, August 1, 2 p.m. Following from American consul at Shanghai:
“August 1, 3 p.m. Referring to my telegram of July 30, noon.99
I have pleasure in advising that the French steamer Paul Lecat was [Page 447] cleared under consular clearance yesterday after tender of the legal tonnage dues was refused by the Customs and the dues were deposited with the French consul general. Future developments will be watched with interest. The Messageries Maritimes Company requested the consul for such clearance, it is understood, after receiving instructions from the firm’s head office. The Superintendent of Customs in conversation stated to me July 30th that the tonnage surtax would be suspended shortly but he was not yet authorized to make an official announcement.”