493.11/1865
The Consul General at Mukden (Myers) to the Minister in China (Johnson)9
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my despatch No. 896 of February 21, 1934,10 reporting the formal acknowledgment by the Kirin Provincial [Page 95] Government of the receipt of two claims of the Socony-Vacuum Corporation covering losses by looting which had been transmitted to it by this Consulate General under date of January 8th.
There is enclosed a translation of a communication dated March 22nd from the Kirin Provincial Government11 quoting an instruction received from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the effect that his Government’s responsibility in respect to claims such as those submitted by the Socony-Vacuum Corporation is doubtful and that the matter is one which should be decided in the future by formal negotiation between his Government and that of the United States.
It is quite evident from this communication that nothing further can be done in the matter of the claims in question and the other similar claims transmitted to the authorities concerned as reported in my despatch No. 885 of January 16th11 so long as formal recognition of “Manchukuo” is withheld by the American Government. It is believed, however, that the communication constitutes as satisfactory a reply as could be expected under the circumstances.
Respectfully yours,