393.11/1211
The Minister in China (Johnson) to
the Secretary of State
Peiping, June 12, 1930.
[Received July
16.]
No. 253
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for
the Department’s information a copy of despatch No. 951, of April 18,
1930, from the American Consulate General at Hankow, concerning
protection for American oil products on consignment to Chinese agents,
together with a copy of the Legation’s reply of to-day’s date. It does
not seem to the Legation to be consistent to go further in the
protection of American property than in the protection of American
lives.
I have [etc.]
For the Minister:
Mahlon F.
Perkins
Counselor of
Legation[Enclosure 1]
The Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart) to the Minister in China (Johnson)
Hankow, April 18, 1930.
L. No. 951
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a copy of
a letter which the Consulate General has received from the Hankow
branch of the Standard Oil Company of New York,38 concerning the protection
of its stocks on consignment at Wuchanghsien, Hupeh, and a copy of
my reply,38
indicating the action taken by this office. There is also enclosed a
copy, with translation, of a letter addressed by me to General Ho
Ying-chin,38 in
charge of Headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Navy,
and Air Forces, at Hankow. This is the second time within two months
that the Consulate General has had occasion to request the
protection of the Standard Oil Company’s consigned stocks at
Wuchanghsien. I may add that several such requests have previously
been received in connection with stocks on consignment at other
places.
I should appreciate very much the Legation’s instruction whether this
office may with propriety continue, at frequent intervals, such
[Page 134]
representations involving
requests for the protection of American oil products on consignment
with Chinese agents, or whether it should confine its
representations to bringing to the attention of the appropriate
Chinese authorities the reported existing conditions, with a
statement that American property appears to be endangered. I am
actuated to make this request for instructions because of the tenor
of the Legation’s telegram of March 12—11 A.M., quoting the
Legation’s telegram of March 12—11 A.M. to the Department40 concerning repeated
requests for the protection of American citizens resident in
southern Kiangsi.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure 2]
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Consul General at Hankow (Lockhart)
Sir: In reply to your despatch No. 951, of
April 18, 1930, requesting the expression of the Legation’s opinion
whether your office may with propriety continue at frequent
intervals to make representations involving requests for protection
of American oil products on consignment with Chinese agents, or
whether it should confine its representations to bringing to the
attention of the appropriate Chinese authorities reports of existing
conditions, with a statement that American property appears to be
endangered, I beg leave to inform you that, after careful
consideration, the Legation is of the opinion that the latter course
is proper.
I am [etc.]
For the Minister:
Mahlon F.
Perkins
Counselor of
Legation
