811.30 Asiatic Fleet/641: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Sokobin) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:25 p.m.]
12. Referring to Department’s telegram No. 291, October 25, 7 p.m., to Peiping.65 Discharge of bulk gasoline for Standard Vacuum Oil Company.
This Consulate in an interview with the Japanese Consulate General pointed out that position of Japanese special naval mission with regard to berthing tanker was unacceptable, all the more so as only last week a Japanese tanker had been permitted to tie up again at the only wharf in Tsingtao with pipe lines where it discharged 700 tons of gasoline for Asiatic Petroleum Company. Previously this British firm had also been denied to bring in a British tanker.
The Japanese Consul General promised a reply as early as possible.
It is to be observed that two British vessels were compelled to discharge in the open bay lumber for the two leading Japanese firms although the wharf where lumber ordinarily is discharged was free at the time, that is this week.
Repeated to Peiping, Chungking, to Tokyo by mail.