693.002/400: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
318. Your 575, November 27, 9 p.m. We concur with the recommendations in your point 5 and suggest the following as a basis for a formal signed note.
The Government of the United States shares with the Japanese Government and with other governments a well recognized economic and historic interest in the Chinese Customs administration and, as the Japanese Government is aware, the integrity of the Chinese Customs and the disposition of its revenues constitute a definite American interest. Hence, the events at Shanghai relating to the Customs service must be regarded by the American Government as of high interest and importance. The Government of the United States is particularly concerned lest any action taken should in any way impair the integrity of the Chinese Customs service.
Hence the American Government has a specific concern and a specific interest in the details of any scheme, even during the period of hostilities, which affects the administration of and the distribution of the revenues of the Customs service. This Government believes that such being the fact, it has a right to make urgent request that its representatives at Shanghai be consulted in respect to any arrangement made. The Government of the United States is, therefore, instructing its Consul General at Shanghai to hold himself in readiness for such consultation and to be ready to advise, when requested, as to whether any arrangement under contemplation adequately protects both the administration of the service and the American interests therein.11
Your 568, November 27, 11 a.m. has just come in.
We do not believe that it is advantageous for this Government at this time to support any specific plan.
- The Consul General was instructed in telegram No. 587, November 29, 7 p.m., with regard to informing his Japanese colleague along similar lines (693.002/403).↩