693.002 Manchuria/115: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 28—4:50 a.m.]
173. My British colleague under instructions from his Government this morning expressed to Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs surprise and concern of British Government at reported taking over of Dairen customs by Manchukuo régime. He expressed earnest hope of British Government that Japanese Government would not countenance any action at variance with its treaty obligations since such action cannot fail to complicate a serious situation already very difficult. He furthermore pointed out that reported step was threat to integrity of customs service which Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs has declared he favored and which is admittedly an important British interest, as well as threat to security of loans and apart from treaty obligations an added complication in solution of general problem.
French and Italian Ambassadors have not as yet received instructions.
Repeated by mail to Peiping.