Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1935, The Far East, Volume III

693.113 (Manchuria) Petroleum/78: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State

Tokyo, February 9, 1935—11 a.m.
[Received February 9—1:58 a.m.]

29. Department’s 376, December 6, 2 p.m., to Peiping,⁷⁵ discrimination in regard to Manchurian import tariff on kerosene.

1. Because of unsatisfactory nature of the reply of the Manchurian authorities to the representations made on December 19 by the British Consul General at Mukden, the British Foreign Office has instructed the British Ambassador in Tokyo,⁷⁶ after consultation with me, to make representations to the Japanese authorities in an endeavor to enlist their assistance in remedying the situation.

2. The British Ambassador proposes to make representations somewhat along the following lines:

“Although the Manchurian authorities have promised an improvement in the situation the foreign oil companies are still anxious as to the future and therefore the British Government hope that the Japanese Government will see their way clear to impress upon the Manchurian authorities the necessity for more thoroughgoing measures.”

3. The British Ambassador or Sansom will make these representations alone if necessary but prefer that we take similar and concurrent action. I approve the action indicated.

4. Please instruct.

Repeated to Peiping.

Grew

75. Foreign Relations, 1934, vol. iii, p. 776.
76. Sir Robert H. Clive.