125.9531/6–2149: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Hawthorne) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 21—6:25 a. m.]
281. Yesterday I renewed request permission move to 9 Shanhaikuan Road. Speaking personally, Yang said he believed such permission could not be given till ownership status clarified and that matter would probably be referred by Military Control Board to central authorities (Yang previously informed we hold title deeds this and other properties).
Reference memo quoted in mytel 274, June 18, Yang said, if for reasons safety, Military should consider it necessary remove fuel from compound due protection will be given and nothing lost, adding if, owing absolute necessity, Ministry should use any part fuel we will be compensated “when all such questions as this and property and moving, etc., are settled”. Meantime we not even permitted to withdraw fuel from stockpile since ownership thereof as well as 1 Kwangsi Road property questioned.
Reiterating he spoke only as individual, Yang concluded interview by expressing opinion that if and when relations established on higher level all local problems will be easily resolved.
Repeated Nanking 199, Shanghai 116.