Office of the Historian

893.12/43: Telegram

The Consul General at Shanghai (Cunningham) to the Secretary of State

Shanghai, September 10, 1930—5 p.m.
[Received September 10—10 a.m.]

Referring my August 7, 1 p.m.

1.
Wu Lien-teh called on August 25th and he wished to take up locally the question of quarantine regulations and would so write me. However, under date of September 2nd he wrote stating that [“] I have seen both Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Health who will take the matter up with the higher authorities.[”]
2.
I would refer to top of page 5 of my despatch No. 6574 of July 23 to the American Minister35 in regard to visaing fumigation certificates and request instructions as to whether this office should visa fumigation certificates signed by a national quarantine service officer but not countersigned by the harbor master. In view of Department’s telegram of July 31, 6 p.m., it would appear undesirable to visa such certificates, however, I personally made investigations and find that the fumigation, in the opinion of the master of the Dutch Tjikarang is as effectively carried out as under the former system. The master of this steamer has requested a fumigation certificate to be visaed, issued as above indicated, but I have refused pending instructions from the Department. The vessel is calling at Manila. The Department’s reply will be cabled to Manila upon receipt.
3.
American shipping companies have been advised by director of quarantine service of the establishment of the national quarantine service and that it has taken over the late sanitary service. The notice among other things states that “our quarantine officers will in future inspect all vessels needing examination for sick persons, coffins, et cetera, and sign on behalf of the Government. No other medical practitioners except quarantine officers are in future authorized to undertake this work.” I am advising American companies to report any delays occasioned by the carrying out of the national quarantine regulations.
4.
It is understood that the British are tacitly accepting the new service, expecting to protest should shipping be unnecessarily inconvenienced by putting into effect of the proposed regulations.…

Repeated to the Legation.

Cunningham
  1. Not printed↩