693.113 (Manchuria) Petroleum/70: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 24—9:45 a.m.]
484. Legation’s 188, April 23, noon.44 Recent import statistics indicate that question regarding discrimination in kerosene importations resulted in decided decrease beginning March in the importations of Japanese light oil into Manchuria, but that beginning September such importations have resumed previous figures. Oil companies maintain that this is due [to] laxity in customs examination of small shipments and those made by junk, and that carload shipments are examined in a manner permitting smuggling of high grade kerosene amidst low grade light oil. Companies have made representations to customs but result unknown.
It appears likely that British Consul General at Mukden, accompanied by Commercial Counselor at Tokyo, will proceed to Hsinching shortly to take up this matter informally. American companies have requested that Chase do likewise, but Legation believes that this matter might await arrival of Ballantine. See Legation’s 483, October 24, noon.
The Legation understands that matters such as the above are now handled by British consular officers in Manchuria under the direction of the Embassy at Tokyo to which mission they submit their reports rather than to the Legation as heretofore.
- Not printed.↩