611.9331/4–1149: Telegram

The Consul General at Tientsin (Smyth) to the Secretary of State

231. Reference Shanghai 1084, April 5. We will explore possibility of obtaining official permission to carry out procedures suggested by Shanghai and report developments. Meanwhile we feel that American ships calling Taku Bar should not be required deposit ships’ papers at Consul General Tientsin or if time short require Consular calls at ship. As this has not been required in past and very doubtful whether Communists at present would permit either ships’ officers proceed Tientsin or Consular calls on vessel, we feel that only result of such requirement would be to prevent calls of American vessels at Taku Bar, thereby giving all trade to foreign ships.

Repeated Nanking 147, Shanghai 152, Peiping 97 and Hong Kong.

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Smyth
]