893.512/816: Telegram
The Minister in China ( MacMurray ) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 25—10:40 a.m.]
392. Following from Tsingtau:
May 24, noon. The Japanese consul general yesterday notified the local Chinese authorities including military that on and after May 23rd Japanese subjects would no longer pay the illegal taxes imposed from time to time in Shantung. This includes customs surtax, provincial goods tax, railway freight, harbor dues, express goods tax, Yellow River emergency repair tax and military coal tax. This consulate has notified the appropriate Chinese authorities that any [Page 504] attempt to continue the imposition of these taxes upon Americans while not fully imposed upon nationals of any other country would be regarded as discrimination and upon that basis the consulate is advising Americans to refrain from paying as long as others do not pay.