693.002/385: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)
262. Your 473, October 14, 4 p.m., and Nanking’s 804, October 13, 3 p.m., in regard to Chinese customs. The suggested provision, mentioned in paragraphs 4 and 5 of your 473, that surplus funds deposited in the Yokohama Specie Bank would be placed at the disposal of the “Peace Preservation Committee” for local administrative purposes, constitutes the first intimation that we have had that such a provision was under contemplation. If you feel that the Foreign Office entertains any doubt as to our attitude on this point, you should make clear to the Foreign Office that this Government’s concern is that sympathetic consideration be given to the temporary arrangement proposed by the Chinese Government as set forth in Nanking’s 804 (which is the same as the arrangement which forms the subject of the memorandum quoted in your 473), and you may, in your discretion, again express to the Foreign Office the hope that the Japanese Government will give the proposed arrangement sympathetic consideration.