793.943 Manchuria/40: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart), at Peiping

405. Your 808, December 8, 5 p.m., and 824, December 14, 6 p.m. The Embassy and the Consuls in Manchuria should bear in mind that [Page 952] the American Government does not assent to these various laws nor has it modified in any way its position with regard to the broad general principles involved. However, when specific cases arise affecting American interests in connection with the application of the exchange and trade control laws, the foreign juridical persons law, and the proposed insurance law, the Consuls in Manchuria should, as a matter of expediency when requested by the representatives of the American interests concerned, intercede with the appropriate authorities in an endeavor to obtain a favorable interpretation of the law or such modification thereof as may be within the discretionary authority of the administrative officials.

The Embassy and the Consuls concerned should continue to keep the Department informed regarding further developments in these matters.

Please repeat to Tokyo.

Hull