693.002/510: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 14—10:35 a.m.]
102. I am reliably informed that an instruction has been issued to the Inspector General of Customs by the Minister of Finance that he is to instruct Commissioners of Customs in occupied territory to decline to apply new tariff recently proclaimed for application in such areas, on the ground that Chinese customs service is entrusted with responsible duty of enforcing a uniform tariff at all parts of China in accordance with China’s treaty obligations, and of remitting revenues to the Inspector General for the purpose of meeting obligations for which revenues are pledged. Commissioners of Customs are also instructed to notify the public that payment of new tariff is not recognized by the Chinese Government.
Repeated to Shanghai and Peiping. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.