Office of the Historian

893.61331/123: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Grew)

Washington, October 29, 1938—3 p.m.

372. Your 676, October 20, 7 p.m., in regard to the discrimination in north China against the Universal Leaf Tobacco Company. It appears to the Department that the essential facts in the case were presented by you to the Foreign Office on September 26 (reference your despatch No. 3283, September 2818) and that the additional information contained in the telegram under reference consists largely of the details of counter proposals put forth by the Company. Unless you feel strongly that the circumstances call for the action suggested by you, would it not be better to let a negotiation of this type be carried on by the Company’s representatives directly with the Japanese authorities in China? In this connection you may inform Mr. Covington that the American Embassy in Peiping has been asked to put Mr. Arbogast in touch with the proper Japanese authorities and to lend such other assistance as it may consider appropriate.

Peiping, please be guided by the foregoing.

Hull
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