Office of the Historian

811.7493 Globe Wireless/80: Telegram

The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Chungking, July 11, 1939—noon.
[Received July 11—10:45 a.m.]

437. Shanghai’s 422, May 24, 4 p.m.11 Following is Embassy’s translation of the Foreign Office note dated June 26 regarding operations of Globe Wireless.

“The Minister for Foreign Affairs has received a communication from the Ministry of Communications stating:

‘According to a report, Globe Wireless, Limited, and Press Wireless, Incorporated, American firms, are negotiating with the bogus Central China Electric Communications Company for the execution of contracts concerning the exchange of messages. It is also observed that RCA Communications and Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company are still exchanging messages with the illegal Japanese station in Shanghai. The execution of contracts for the exchange of messages by American communication companies is subject to the approval of the Federal Communications Commission. Please enter into negotiations with the American Government for the termination of all such activities’.

In respect of the mutual exchange of messages between RCA Communications and Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company and the illegal Japanese station in Shanghai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received the American Embassy’s formal note of September 21, [Page 353] 1938 to the effect that the matter was being considered by the American Federal Communications Commission.

Having received the complaint referred to above the Ministry has the honor to request that the Embassy take note and transmit a telegram to the American Government requesting it to take effective measures to stop the negotiations conducted by Globe Wireless Limited and Press Wireless Incorporated with the bogus Central China Electric Communications Company for the execution of contracts for the exchange of messages, and the exchange of messages between RCA Communications and Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company and the illegal Japanese station at Shanghai, in order to uphold sovereign rights and further friendly relations. The Ministry in inditing this third person note has the honor also to request that it be [favored?] with a reply.”12

Repeated to Shanghai, by mail to Peiping.

Johnson
  1. Not printed. See telegram No. 81, January 30, 1 p.m., from the Consul General at Shanghai, p. 269.↩
  2. Globe Wireless was unable to effect an arrangement with the Japanese authorities during the next 2 years.↩