893.102 Tientsin/607: Telegram
The Consul General at Tientsin (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 23—7:49 a.m.]
277. My 274, November 17, 4 p.m.46 Arrangements made for coal for marines and coal began moving today. Arrangements also made for a few days supply for the British and French Concessions, which began to enter French Concession yesterday and should begin entering British Concession tomorrow. Japanese military are considering requests for winter supply for each Concession but are questioning estimate of total needs for British Concession.
It appears that at present even trucks carrying certificates stamped by the Japanese Consulate General pass the barriers at the rate of about 1 in 2 hours and as they must wait their turn to enter line of trucks carrying such certificates, 15 of which were counted at the International Bridge last night, delays of a day may be expected. I am informed that German trucks with such certificates are now delayed as much as 2 and 3 days.
On November 18th General Homma stated at a press conference that the barrier difficulties would have been removed 3 months ago had it not been for the American treaty abrogation, which caused the stiffening of the British attitude regarding the Tientsin silver, fapi and other questions.
From the above statement and from the conversation reported in my 273 [272], November 16, 6 p.m., and from informal conversations with members of the Japanese Consulate General, it is evident that the local Japanese military have taken exception to the American treaty abrogation and to the references in the October 28 telegram46 of the Tientsin American Chamber of Commerce to treaty negotiations and to bribery at the barriers, and are less well disposed toward Americans than formerly. It is evident also from the general experience of various non-American nationals that the difficulties and delays encountered by cargo at the barriers have greatly increased in the last few weeks.
However, Japanese officials still profess a willingness to assist in alleviating difficulties of Americans and continue to be helpful in many cases, and while Americans are clearly in a less favorable position than a few weeks ago I believe that even now they receive the same, and perhaps slightly more, consideration than most other [nationalities, but?] no less.
Repeated to Peiping, Shanghai. Air mail to Tokyo.