811.20 (D) Regulations/3297: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 14—12:05 p.m.]
291. Reference Shanghai’s No. 840, July 11, 5 p.m. to the Department90 regarding Standard-Vacuum Oil Company. The reported improved Japanese attitude toward the Company’s trade with the hinterland is undoubtedly in anticipation that the Company may thus be induced to supply Japanese military needs in China in order to continue hostilities in which the sympathy and aid of the United States has been pledged to China. It is difficult enough now to explain [Page 828] why we permit materials to reach Japan which assist that country in the Sino-Japanese hostilities. I trust that permits will not be issued for the direct delivery of similar commodities in China for Japanese interests.
Sent to the Department, repeated to Peiping and Shanghai.
- Not printed.↩