893.51/5265: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
366. Legation’s 306, May 5, 5 [8?] p.m.
1. Consul General at Tientsin reports confidentially that the Shansi authorities appear to be reviving their proposal to establish an independent customshouse at Tientsin to be located probably in the ex-German Concession (first special area). There is however some discussion of stopping ships at Tangku with the object of assessing duties at the mouth of the river.
2. Gauss adds:
“There is not sufficient space along the ex-German Concession to berth ships and discharge cargo. There is some question whether the British and French authorities would permit officers of the new Shansi controller [controlled] customs to function in the British and French areas where ships now are generally berthed. Force, or a display of force, might be necessary to stop ships off the ex-German Concession to require discharge of cargo and payment of duty. The ex-German Concession is within the so-called American military sector of Tientsin’ and the presence of Chinese military forces in that area would present a delicate problem for the United States Army troops in China.”
- Telegram in two sections.↩