Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1938, The Far East, Volume IV

693.116/141: Telegram

The First Secretary of Embassy in China (Salisbury) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, August 18, 1938—4 p.m.
[Received August 18—7 a.m.]

505. Embassy’s 495, August 9, 10 a.m.⁶¹

1. A member of the Japanese Embassy informed me this morning that (a) the embargo on wireless equipment is due to fear that such equipment might reach Chinese irregulars and be used by them against Japanese interests, (b) the Provisional Government will shortly issue regulations under which only radio sets capable of bearing local programs will be permitted entry, and (c) he thought that equitable provision would be made in regard to radio equipment already ordered.

2. The Consulate General at Tientsin has forwarded to the Embassy an unsatisfactory letter dated August 9 from the Superintendent of Tientsin Customs which gives no indication of early favorable action.

3. It is evident that no amelioration of the situation can be hoped for through representations made here.

Repeated to Chungking, Tientsin, and Tokyo.

Salisbury

61. Not printed.