693.002/371: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

668. Department’s 212, September 3, 9 p.m.; and 227, September 10, 1 p.m. In consultation with British Chargé d’Affaires, representative of French Embassy and Hall-Patch, financial adviser to British Embassy, I learn that with reference to Tientsin “terms” referred to in my 576, August 31, 8 p.m., Chinese Government have not as yet issued instructions to Commissioner of Customs at Tientsin. I am, therefore, joining British and French in identic but not joint representations to Ministry of Foreign Affairs urging Chinese Government [Page 864] to give Commissioner of Customs instructions to make best terms he can in interest of preserving integrity of customs.

I am at the same time joining same colleagues in identic representations urging Chinese to adopt measures recommended by bankers and reported in Shanghai’s 650, September 4, 3 p.m.

Repeated to Shanghai.

Johnson