893.51/5295: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 24—12:10 p.m.]
491. Legation’s 487, June 23, 7 p.m. Following from American Consul at Tsingtau: [Page 251]
“June 23, 11 a.m. Local Commissioner of Customs has received instructions from Inspector General to collect Tientsin customs duties at this port beginning today and issue customs clearance papers for Tientsin. Ships are to be instructed that, should authorities at Tientsin fail to recognize such clearance papers, masters should communicate with consuls at Tientsin.
Commissioner has asked for partial detail of Tientsin staff to assist in this collection, but states that this request is difficult of compliance since Northerners have threatened to discharge any foreign members of Tientsin staff who fail to remain at their posts and to execute any Chinese members.”