393.115/558
The Chargé in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 6, 1939.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit, as of possible interest to the Department, a copy of despatch No. 1465 dated December 5, 1938, from the Consul General at Shanghai to the Embassy, with which there is enclosed a copy of a letter dated December 1, 1938,65 from Consul R. L. Smyth at Nanking, describing his visit to Pukow, Kiangsu, across the Yangtze River from Nanking, for the purpose of inspecting the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company’s installation in that city.
It will be noted that Mr. Smyth states that, although the Japanese authorities in Nanking had previously refused many requests from the British Consul for permission to visit Pukow, they readily granted his request to proceed to that city to inspect American interests. Mr. Smyth adds that it seems evident that, certainly in some matters, the Japanese authorities in Nanking are disposed to treat Americans more liberally than British.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy
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