693.002/707: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 30—11:50 a.m.]
933. My 850, June 16, 6 p.m. Inspector General of Customs informs me that pressure for appointment of Japanese Commissioner of Customs at Amoy is being greatly intensified and that the Japanese have flatly refused to yield any ground. The foreign officers of the customs cruiser at Tsingtao have been withdrawn and the Japanese are now insisting that the Chinese crew on the cruiser remain aboard and continue their customary duties. This demand is creating an extremely awkward situation for the customs and Sir Frederick Maze states that the British authorities in London are becoming greatly exercised over the situation. He suggests some consultation with the British Foreign Office with a view to giving publicity to the matter.
Repeated to Hankow and Tokyo. Code text by mail to Peiping.