893.113/1535: Telegram

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

209. Department’s 141, May 5 [8], 1 p.m. was repeated to the Minister at Nanking. Following telegram has been received from the Minister:

“May 14, 10 a.m. Foreign Office gives following list of countries to which identic note was sent in addition to ourselves with each country’s reaction thus far known:

‘Belgium (no reply), Great Britain (willing to act upon China’s request), Czechoslovakia (reply indicates Czechoslovak merchants have already been informed), France (French Government replied it had advised manufacturers and shippers to abide by rules of Chinese Government), Germany (cannot export arms but shipments may pass in transit), Italy (will exercise absolute control over exportation of arms into China in accordance with wishes of Chinese Government), Japan (no reply), Norway (reply indicates Norwegian Government already advised merchants), Spain (already notified authorities concerned), Sweden (has never permitted exportation of arms to China without approval of Chinese Government), Switzerland (already notified authorities concerned but Swiss Government seems to have peculiar laws on exportation of arms).’

I suggest that the Legation proceed to consult representatives of above-mentioned countries for purpose of complying with Department’s request contained in paragraph 2 of Department’s telegram.

I communicated Department’s message to political Vice Minister Hsu Mo who stated that Foreign Office preferred to follow both methods represented in paragraph 3 Department’s telegram using permit of Chinese Minister in Washington when time will not permit of obtaining huchau from Nanking. General procedure would be for shipper to obtain huchau in Nanking which would have to accompany shipment from the United States after being visaed by Chinese Minister at Washington. Foreign Office assumes that shipments already en route are accompanied by regular huchau. I understand that procedure above described refers specifically to military arms. Present practice regarding sporting arms unchanged.”

Legation is consulting other Legations in Peiping and will report later.

For the Minister:
Gauss