893.114 Narcotics/163
The Secretary of State of the Chargé in Switzerland (Moffatt)
Sir: The Department acknowledges the receipt of the Legation’s despatch No. 1593 (L. of N. No. 1758) of August 14, 1930,6 in regard to questions as to withdrawal of protection from American vessels engaged in smuggling opium in Chinese waters.
In reply to the inquiry from the Chief of the Social Questions and Opium Traffic Section of the League of Nations, it may be said that the withdrawal of protection from an American vessel trading in Chinese waters means withdrawal of protection in general. It means that consular officers of the United States would not even exercise good offices, official or unofficial, in behalf of such vessels; and that the Chinese Maritime Customs would be notified of the [Page 202] withdrawal of American documentation and informed that facilities granted to such vessels on the strength of such American documentation need no longer be granted.
Very truly yours,
- Not printed.↩