693.002/616: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:53 p.m.]
215. Tokyo’s 233 of April 6, 7 p.m.,78 regarding Chinese customs. Young yesterday handed my copy of a letter which he addressed on April 25 to British Ambassador which referred to letter summarized in my 151, March 10, 10 a.m., and made suggestion that consideration be given to the danger that the Japanese authorities might cause Japanese fostered regimes in China to accept any arrangement regarding customs which might be agreed upon between one or more of the friendly powers and Japan—before ascertaining whether conclusion of such arrangement would be acceptable to China—and then represent that the friendly powers had in effect recognized such regimes by reaching an understanding with them regarding customs. Young urged the desirability that Chinese Government be kept advised as far as deemed practicable and be consulted before anything should be consummated between Great Britain and Japan regarding customs. Young informs me that Chinese Government has no information of negotiations in Tokyo other than oral summary communicated to Kung by British Ambassador on recent visit.