393.115 Hunt and Company, William/96: Telegram

The Consul General at Canton (Myers) to the Secretary of State

65. Referring to the Department’s telegram No. 291, November 11, noon, to the Embassy and Canton’s 54, November 10th;45 56, November 11th; 58, November 12th. During a call on the Japanese Consul General on November 18 by Mr. Linnell and myself the matter of Hunt and Company’s interest in the local China Merchants [Steam] Navigation Company property was raised by the Consul General. He stated that the Japanese authorities were satisfied that Hunt and Company were not the owners of the China Merchants’ godown and wharf properties here, that the local naval authorities desired to take over this property but that being anxious to avoid the seizure of American property they wish to ascertain whether Hunt and Company were owners of the contents of the godowns or any part thereof. He was informed that this office had no information concerning Hunt and Company’s interest if any in the contents of the godowns but that if any information in regard to that is obtained it will be brought to his attention. The Consul General intimated that the naval authorities could be expected to take over property in question (and also godown and wharf properties) soon unless it were foreign owned as indicated in my telegram November 12, 11 a.m. This office has no reason to believe that the property within the godown is American owned. At present the Japanese are in control of godown and wharf properties and are displaying a Japanese flag on a short pole but have not interfered with American flag still flying from main flag staff on property. Although it would appear to be desirable to remove the American flag from this property it seems that any action on our part to effect such removal might be misunderstood. In view of all the circumstances in this case this office does not propose to take any action with a view to removing the flag at this time or to obtaining the information desired by the Japanese but suggests that the Department [Page 541] might deem it advisable to ask Shanghai to give China Merchants Navigation Company an opportunity to show whether contents are American owned.

Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Shanghai.

Myers
  1. Telegram No. 54 not printed.