811.20 (D) Regulations/1355: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart)
173. Your 240, February 28, 4 p.m.36 It would, as you suggested to the [British] Commercial Counselor, constitute a definite violation of the export license regulations to obtain a license for shipment to Hong Kong when in fact the goods were destined for Shanghai.
The Department’s attitude in regard to the issuance of licenses for exports to Shanghai is set forth in its no. 140 of March 4, 1941. The Department does not wish, under present circumstances, to place upon you the burden of attempting to weigh the relative merits of applications for exports in general from the United States. You are, however, authorized, in your discretion, to bring to the Department’s attention, transmitting full details in each instance, especially meritorious cases in which important American or other interests of concern to this Government would be furthered by the issuance of licenses authorizing exports from the United States to Shanghai.
- Not printed.↩