Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1934, The Far East, Volume III

693.113 Tobacco Products/50: Telegram

The Chargé in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, January 9, 1935—noon.
[Received January 9—2:47 a.m.]

10. The Counselor of Legation at Nanking³⁸ was directed to take action in compliance with the Department’s 401, December 30 [31], 2 p.m. He has replied as follows:

[“]January 8, 9 a.m. I am confidentially but reliably informed that the Executive Yuan has sanctioned an increase of 100 percent in the import tariff on leaf tobacco and that the date of enforcement will be determined by the Ministry of Finance. Reason for increase is the falling price of imported leaf tobacco and consequent necessity of protecting similar type tobacco raised in Shantung and elsewhere. My informal protest to an appropriate official has met with the reply that the increase has already been officially sanctioned although not yet enforced.”³⁹

Peck is being instructed to see the Minister of Finance and orally and informally advise him of the Department’s views as set forth in its 316, October 2, 1 p.m.

Gauss

38. Willys R. Peck.
39. In telegram No. 17, January 28, 1935, 10 a.m., Mr. Peck reported that the Chinese Government had abandoned its intention to double the import duty on leaf tobacco (893.6581/6).