893.71 Manchuria/65
The Secretary of State to the Postmaster General (Farley)
My Dear Mr. Postmaster General: There is enclosed a copy of the recommendations adopted on May 16, 1934,37 by the Advisory Committee on the Far Eastern situation of the League of Nations with regard to a question raised by the British Government affecting postal traffic in transit through Manchuria. The Advisory Committee has expressed confidence that this Government will be prepared to comply with the recommendations, and it has requested that the American Government inform the Secretary-General of the League of Nations of its decision in the matter.
This Department understands from informal discussions between officers of this Department and the Post Office Department that mail matter originating in the United States and destined for Manchuria and mail matter originating in Manchuria and destined for the United States passes through Japan; that payment of balances is effected through Japan; that no question of payment by the American postal authorities to the “Manchukuo” postal authorities for transit charges has arisen, for the reason that no mail originating in the United States is sent in transit through Manchuria; and that no occasion has arisen for direct relations between the postal authorities of the United States and “Manchukoo”.
If the foregoing understanding is correct, this Department would be disposed to inform the Secretary-General of the League of Nations that no occasion has arisen for direct relations between the postal authorities of the United States and “Manchukuo”; that the American Government does not anticipate that occasion will arise for the American Postal Administration to enter into relations with that of “Manchukuo”; and that, if any action affecting Manchuria becomes necessary for the maintenance of adequate postal services, the American Postal Administration would be prepared to conform such action to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.
I should be pleased to be informed whether the foregoing statements represent the views of the Post Office Department and to receive such further comment as you may care to make with respect to the Advisory Committee’s recommendations.
Sincerely yours,
Under Secretary
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