693.116/95: Telegram

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

330. Your 772, September 27, 3 p.m.

1.
What action has Legation taken or does it propose?
2.
Department does not believe that it would be advisable at this stage to act on Canton’s second suggestion, namely, that an effort be made to persuade the Central Government to reduce temporarily the duty on kerosene to a figure which would enable imported kerosene to compete with the locally distilled product. If the Central Government took such action, the Canton authorities might raise other difficulties which would prejudice the present negotiations of the American and British Consuls General at Canton. It is suggested therefore that any action toward carrying out that suggestion should be postponed pending outcome of present negotiations.
Hull