793.94/7908: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
143. 1. An official of the Foreign Office this morning read to an officer of the Embassy portion of a telegram stated to have just been received from Chinese Ambassador at Washington to effect that in connection with Japanese activities in North China, presumably including smuggling and increase of Tientsin Japanese Garrison, Under Secretary had issued statement to press reaffirming American position in respect to North China developments as set forth in the Secretary’s statement of December 5, 1935.84
2. To Department and Peiping.
3. Same official stated that Foreign Office on May 15 or 16 handed to Japanese Embassy a lengthy note concerning smuggling in North [Page 157] China which is being published in the press and which recapitulates the smuggling activities and previous representations and asks that the Japanese Government take immediate steps to restrain the Japanese military authorities from further interference with the principal functions of the customs and to withdraw the protection “hitherto enjoyed by Japanese and Korean smugglers”.
4. We have a translation of this note and if it is not published in the United States and the Department desires to receive the text by radio, instructions to that effect will be appreciated.
5. To Peiping by mail.
- Telegram in two sections.↩
- See telegram No. 191, December 5, 1935, 5 p.m., to the Chargé in Japan, Foreign Relations, 1935, vol. iii, p. 473.↩