611.939/99: Telegram

The Chargé in China ( Peck ) to the Secretary of State

147. Department’s 22, February 1, 7 p.m. Following is Embassy’s translation of circular note from the Foreign Office dated February 25 received February 28.

“The Ministry has received a letter from the Ministry of Economics Affairs stating:

‘This Ministry has designated the names of articles of aid to the enemy and the areas into which shipment of such articles is prohibited. In connection with the purchase and shipment to the Concessions in Shanghai by the factories and merchants of the friendly nations of articles of aid to the enemy, the transportation of which is prohibited, the Consuls of the respective friendly nations at Shanghai, of the Chambers of Commerce, of Guilds at the places from whence the articles are shipped shall issue certificates guaranteeing that they are not for the aid of the enemy. The merchants reporting goods for shipment shall submit the certificates to the customs for examination and release of the articles concerned.

[Page 650]

Apart from telegraphically asking the Ministry of Finance to wire instructions to the customs authorities directing them to act accordingly, it is requested that the diplomatic missions of the friendly nations in China be informed of the matter.’

There is enclosed a copy of the list of articles of aid to the enemy, the shipment of which is prohibited, for the Embassy’s information, with the requests that instructions be issued to those concerned to take note.”

The list of articles some 54 in number will be contained in a later report.98

Repeated to Peiping and Shanghai.

Peck
  1. Not printed.