693.003/807

The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)

No. 802

Sir: The Department has received your despatch No. 1347 of January 12, 1928, enclosing a copy of a despatch from the American Consul General at Shanghai forwarding a letter dated December 16, 1927, from the American Chamber of Commerce at Shanghai embodying a resolution passed by the Directors of the Chamber protesting against all illegal taxes imposed on American business throughout China, and requesting that American consular officers be authorized to accept the lawful import duties on goods imported from the United States and from the proceeds thereof reimburse American citizens or firms for the amounts which they are obliged to pay on account of illegal impositions.

The Department concurs in your opinions as set forth in your despatch under acknowledgment and considers that it would be both unwise and impracticable to accede to these requests. You are requested to instruct the Consul General at Shanghai to inform the American Chamber of Commerce to this effect.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Nelson Trusler Johnson