893.4061 Motion Pictures/340: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Gauss)
1604. The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America Incorporated (Hays Organization) have inquired in regard to the possibility of receiving assistance in obtaining permission from the Chinese authorities to transfer to the United States funds representing current earnings in free China of American Motion Picture Companies. The local representatives of American Motion Picture Companies are understood to be able to give precise information in regard to amounts involved and recent position of the Chungking authorities.
The Department would not desire that steps be taken which might open the way for an undue number of requests from other American business interests which might be similarly justifiable nor would it desire to discriminate among firms whose funds are of like origin. It therefore appears that if the rendering of assistance in this case may give rise to an embarrassing situation in regard to other requests it would be preferable to inform American Motion Picture interests that it is felt that the present time is not opportune for bringing up the matter with the Chinese.
It is, however, the Department’s view that similarly justifiable claims may not be numerous or large and that the present time may not be inopportune to approach the appropriate authorities in such manner as you choose with the view to assisting the American interests concerned.