Office of the Historian

693.002/467: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)

Washington, February 5, 1938—4 p.m.

116. Your 207, February 4, 6 p.m., and Hankow’s 83, February 4, 2 p.m. The Department does not wish to proffer views in regard to the suggested reintroduction of the 1931 tariff or in regard to different rates for specific items in that tariff and you may so inform the Inspector General. You may also inform him of our very real interest in the customs issue and of our hope that there may be reached a solution which, insofar as practicable, will preserve the present customs administrative machinery and procedure and make adequate provision for the servicing of foreign loan and indemnity quotas.

Please repeat the above telegram to Hankow, Peiping and Tokyo for their information. Please also repeat your 207, February 4, 6 p.m., to Tokyo.

Hull