893.5034 Business Tax/56: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
Peiping, October 18, 1932—1
p.m.
[Received October 18—7:25 a.m.]
[Received October 18—7:25 a.m.]
1200. My 1061, September 3, 4 [3] p.m. Following from American Consul General at Hankow.
“October 15, 2 p.m.
- 1.
- American and other foreign firms at Hankow have received further peremptory demands from the Chinese authorities that they begin immediately to pay the business tax.
- 2.
- The consular body discussed the matter at a meeting yesterday and decided to make no further representations to the Chinese authorities at present. However, in the event of an actual attempt to enforce the tax against a foreigner possessing representation on the consular body his consul and all other members of the consular body will individually file protests with the Chairman of the Provincial Government, each consul basing his protest on demands made upon his own nationals by the tax authorities.
- 3.
- All foreign merchants represented by consuls in Hankow have been requested to refer Chinese business tax officials to their respective consuls.”
The Legation has approved proposed action of the Consul General.60
Johnson
- The Department replied by telegram No. 355, October 22, 1 p.m., approving the instruction to Hankow.↩