Office of the Historian

693.116/72

The Department of State to the Chinese Legation89

undated

The American Government is very unfavorably impressed by the action and attitude of the Cantonese authorities in what those authorities allege to be regulation of importation and sale of kerosene and by the lack of resolute and effective action on the part of the Chinese Government in connection therewith. The action of the Chinese [Page 578] authorities at Canton is plainly in violation of treaty provisions, and the tactics which they are employing are inconsistent with principles and practices of international amity and peaceful and fair international intercourse. The American Government expects of the Chinese Government and of the Chinese authorities at Canton immediate and effective attention to the representations which are being rightfully and properly made by American officials in China in reference to this situation.

  1. Handed to the Chinese Minister August 14.↩