693.002/526: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 25—9:30 a.m.]
124. My 117, February 21, 3 p.m. I am authoritatively informed that Kung, replying to British Ambassador’s advice, has stated in substance as follows:
“The Chinese Government considers that Japanese interference with performance of China’s treaty and loan agreement obligations—introduction of new tariff, seizure of customs revenue and application of pressure to make Customs Administration subservient to Japanese wishes—should appear as acts of violence and not as compliance by Chinese customs officials as tools of the Japanese. Chinese Government asks British Government what action it would be prepared to take that might be effective in avoiding a serious eventuality which Chinese Government believes will result from a policy of acquiescence in Japanese wishes on the part of customs services.
In view of British suggestions of disobedience by Commissioners, Chinese Government asks British Government to emphasize to any person or persons of British nationality disobedience of orders issued by lawful Chinese authority with a view to maintenance of China’s treaty and loan obligations would involve disloyalty of high traditions of service and would be particularly reprehensible at this particular juncture. Chinese Government asks British Government to bring all practicable pressure to bear, with a view to prevention of disloyalty which would have unfortunate consequences for British and other foreign as well as Chinese interests.”