693.113 (Manchuria) Petroleum/20: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
350. Reference Tokyo’s despatch No. 523 of September 16, 1933, to Department53 and previous. The Department believes that the complaints made by Socony and Texas Companies of discrimination in the levying of Manchukuo customs duties on certain types of foreign oil are well founded. Unless an adjustment which in your opinion should be acceptable to interested American companies has been effected of conditions set forth in Dairen’s despatch dated September 7, 1933, to Tokyo, Department regards it advisable that you instruct Mukden and Dairen to deal with this matter as a local protection case, with authorization to make representations to Customs or other local authorities. Tokyo Embassy perceives no objection. Such representations should preferably be of an oral nature, but, if deemed necessary, written representations may be made in strict conformity with Department’s telegram No. 338, October 6, 6 p.m.54 Inform Tokyo fully by mail and keep Department informed.