693.002 Manchuria/96: Telegram

The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

699. Mr. T. V. Soong, Minister of Finance, has issued the following statement:

“Despite all protest and in violation of treaty arrangements Japanese officials and the so-called Manchukuo authorities have now actually seized the accumulated customs revenues of Newchwang and Antung, remittance of which to the Inspector General has been prohibited by them for nearly 2 months.

The following excerpts are from the telegrams sent by the Commissioners of Customs at Newchwang and Antung respectively:

‘Newchwang, June 20. All revenue held in Bank of China was removed under force majeure to Bank of Manchuria yesterday. I protested to Bank of China. Office allowance unaffected and pay is being drawn today. I have protested to Yokohama Specie Bank and demanded remittance. Manager wired his head office for instructions yesterday.’

‘Antung, June 20. Bank of China officially informed me today that they handed over revenue balances as of 19th June after receipt of threatening letter from Manchukuo Minister of Finance and after visit of local Chinese police who instructed revenue should not be touched.’”

Johnson