693.002/1111: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart)
592. Reference your 1074, August 13, 1 p.m., and 1142, August 23, 9 a.m., in regard to the Chinese Maritime Customs. The Department approves your attitude in regard to the communications of the Inspector General as reported in your telegrams under reference. The Department does not wish to depart from the position which it has taken of refraining from undertaking to influence the Chinese Government in the administration of the Chinese Maritime Customs.
The question of Japanese interference with that administration has been the subject of repeated representations by the American Embassy in Tokyo and the Department assumes that the Embassy will supplement those representations, when and as it feels that it can do so usefully, upon the basis of Shanghai’s 1114, August 18, 1 p.m., and 1142, August 23, 9 a.m., including the question of Japanese demands for the appointment of a Japanese Commissioner of Customs at Shanghai.
Sent to Shanghai. Repeated to Chungking and Peiping. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.