893.51/5287: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:32 p.m.]
473. Legation’s 469, June 19, 6 p.m.
1. Following from Reuter, Nanking, June 19th:
“In view of Mr. Lenox Simpson’s assumption of office in favor of Marshal Yen Hsi-shan’s seizure of the Tientsin customs, the National Government has lodged a vigorous protest with the British Government and requested that Mr. Simpson be deported and dealt with according to law.”
2. Gauss has telephoned me that Hayley Bell called this morning and officially informed him that Tientsin customs was closed and that the staff was being withdrawn. Superintendent of Customs, an adherent of Yen, was originally appointed by Nanking and has not yet been removed. Since the Superintendent of Customs is the official superior of the Commissioner of Customs, an interesting point arises as to the validity of the Commissioner’s notification to the [Page 242] Consul General. Gauss states that for the present he regards Tientsin as a free port although it is likely that Lenox Simpson will immediately open a new customs administration.