693.002/445: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:37 p.m.]
22. Shanghai’s 45, January 9, 11 a.m., and 48, January 10, noon. I have in various ways refrained from offering any advice to the Chinese Government as to what it should do about the Customs Administration, confining myself on such occasions as have offered to the statement that it is our hope that the integrity of the Customs Administration may be preserved. On one occasion Minister for Foreign Affairs36 volunteered to me the information that, in reply to representations made by the British Ambassador that Sir Frederick Maze be given authority to reach some settlement with the Japanese which might subsequently be submitted to the Chinese Government for its approval, he had stated that Chinese Government was unwilling to relinquish its right to examine and approve any plan prior to its acceptance. It is my belief that Chinese Government will be unwilling to give its official approval to any plan which deprives it of control over Customs Administration and of customs fund.
Repeated to Peiping and Shanghai. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.
- Wang Chung-hui.↩