600.939/368
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 5.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose, as of possible interest to the Department, a copy of despatch No. 842 from the Consulate General at Tientsin, dated August 5, 1939,1 in regard to a request addressed by the Tientsin Fur Exporters and Importers Association to the Japanese Consulate General at Tientsin for the granting of facilities for the transportation of furs from the interior of North China.
The Association points out with reason that a continuance of the restrictive measures taken by the Japanese authorities, unquestionably the military authorities, will adversely affect the fur business, possibly to the point where North China will no longer figure as a source of furs for the American market. The Association cites in evidence of the adverse effect of these restrictive measures that the trade has suffered a loss of 80 percent of its normal trade.
The Embassy has previously alluded to the incongruity between the regime’s desire to obtain foreign currency reserves and the measures which are seemingly bound to curtail exports. It is hoped that the regime will become cognizant of this incongruity and that it will take steps to remedy the situation. Otherwise, the fur trade, and other export trades, will gradually dwindle to the vanishing point.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy
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