893.6363 Manchuria/139: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 21—12:10 p.m.]
36. The special representatives of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company request that the following message (paraphrased by the Embassy) be transmitted to Dundas, Standard-Vacuum Oil Company, New York.
“At suggestion Japanese Foreign Office we and friends yesterday discussed Manchuria monopoly with Japanese adviser of monopoly and Manchuria Vice Minister of Finance who is also a Japanese together with a representative of the Japanese Foreign Office who acted as interpreter. We and friends could not accept any proposition presented and therefore conversations will probably continue. It was proposed by the Manchurian officials that the three foreign companies supply a limited quantity of gasoline and kerosene to the monopoly, our companies to be accorded preferential rights to this business at competitive prices. We do not consider this any compromise. Both friends and we are opposed to supplying monopoly with products which they will market and distribute because of the effect in other countries. Confirm if principals support this point of view and also ascertain if Texas likewise agrees. Wilkinson will transmit to you a telegram from friends sent through British Embassy on the same subject. Walden, Parker.”