893.51/4989: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (MacMurray)
286. Your number 579 of November 27th, 9 a.m. The Chinese Maritime Customs was brought into existence by the Government of China. It is a Chinese national service; it functions under the orders and protection of the Government of China, and the foreigners employed in it are servants of that Government. If that Government should desire the destruction of the Customs Administration, or if the desire of the Chinese people is to destroy the Government of China and the Customs Administration it has created, the basis of right upon which this Government may intervene in order to prevent either purpose from being accomplished is difficult to see. In consequence I am unable to see my way clear, in regard to preventing the operation of the customhouse at Hankow from being paralyzed, to authorize landing an armed naval force in cooperation with other powers.
If for any reason the customhouse at Hankow should cease functioning, the proposition that the requirements of existing treaties with China be met by American merchants by temporarily depositing tariff duties with American banks and held for the Chinese Government in trust until functioning of the Customs Administration is resumed, might be considered.