693.002/434: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
6. Reference your 695, December 29, 11 a.m., and 14, January 10, 11 a.m.6
The Department has been informed by Tientsin in its No. 3, January 8, 1 p.m.,7 that according to reliable information received by the Consulate General there one hundred ten thousand gallons of kerosene were imported from Japan duty free during December and placed on the market in that area.
The Department suggests that on the first suitable occasion you bring this matter orally to the attention of the Foreign Office, emphasizing the discriminatory character of such importations as well as their damaging effect upon customs administration. You might point out that such flagrant acts of discrimination are inconsistent with the repeated assurances of the Japanese Government that it will respect the rights and interests of the United States and that this Government expects that the Japanese Government will take appropriate and prompt steps to insure the carrying out of those assurances.
You may care, before approaching the Foreign Office, to discuss the matter with your British colleague.