393.115 Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Co./8: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Hankow ( Josselyn )

15. Your 25, January 26, noon,74 Nanyang Brothers properties. The Department notes your opinion that the Chinese firm of Nanyang divested itself of its title to the properties in question, in favor of the Hunt interests largely because as Chinese properties they were threatened with Japanese occupation. Under these circumstances the Department feels that protection should not be extended to the properties upon the basis of the alleged American ownership of them.

If, however, as indicated in your telegram under reference, you are of the opinion that through a series of transactions commencing in 1935 there exists a genuine American interest in the properties and stocks at Hankow, you may so inform the Japanese Consul and request that full respect be accorded to such interest.

Repeated to Chungking and Shanghai.

Hull
  1. Not printed.