693.002 Manchuria/29: Telegram
The Consul at Geneva (Gilbert) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 31—8:25 a.m.]
132. Drummond has circulated a letter from Yen dated March 29th quoting telegram from his Government containing the following reports from Maze, Inspector General of Customs:
1. The Commissioner of Customs at Antung telegraphs:
“I am informed that the Superintendent of Customs introduced his Japanese adviser to the Manager of the Bank of China today (March 26th?) when the adviser handed to the Manager the written circular instruction from Manchukuo (puppet government) that all revenues in the hands of the Bank of China on the 26th of March and all collections from that date should be paid to Tung San Sheng Kuang Yin Hao (Bank of the Three Eastern Provinces). The Manager replied that he could do npthing without instructions from the Maritime Customs. So far I have not been approached on the matter but the Bank of China requests instructions which I now solicit from you. Question is also raised of the present agreement with the Bank of Chosen.”
2. The Commissioner of Customs at Newchwang telegraphs:
“The Japanese adviser to the Superintendent of Customs and the Manager of the Bank of the Three Eastern Provinces called this morning (March 26th?) on the Manager of the Bank of China with a despatch dated the 24th of March from the Finance Ministry of Manchukuo (puppet government) to him instructing him to hand over immediately all the customs revenue held by the Bank of China on the 26th of March and all future collections to the Bank of the Three Eastern Provinces. They thereupon demanded the immediate handing over of the funds to them. The Manager of the Bank of China refused saying that he should consult me (the Commissioner of Customs at Newchwang) and would inform them on their return this afternoon that the Commissioner of Customs has wired the Inspector General for instructions.”
In addition Yen’s letter quotes the following telegram by Dr. F. A. Cleveland, [Page 652] associate chief inspector of salt revenue, received from the district inspectors at Liaoning (Mukden).
“We learn from reliable sources that the salt commissioner has received order from the Finance Minister of the puppet government to take over by force our office and sub-office including revenue balance, files and everything on the 28th of March.”