Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1936, The Far East, Volume IV

702.6593 Manchuria/12

The Consul at Harbin (LaMont) to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)⁷⁷

No. 286

Harbin, December 4, 1936.

Sir: I have the honor to refer to despatch No. 284 of this office of December 1, 1936,⁷⁸ entitled “Report of Italian Recognition of ‘Manchukuo’ “as well as previous despatches on this subject and Italian consular representation in Manchuria.

There is enclosed an extract⁷⁹ from the Dairen Manchuria Daily News reporting that the Italian Ambassador in Tokyo requested permission through the “Manchukuo” Ambassador to establish a Consulate General in Mukden and that the request was granted.

According to Mr. A. Maffei, the local Italian Consul, this report is true. Such negotiations as took place in this matter were carried on in Tokyo and Mr. Maffei had no part in them. This action probably constitutes de facto recognition of “Manchukuo” inasmuch as the permission of the “Manchukuo” government was formally requested to establish the new Consulate General. Mr. Maffei does not believe that his government plans to fully recognize “Manchukuo” and establish a legation at Hsinking at present.

Respectfully yours,

George D. LaMont

77. Copy transmitted to the Department by the Consul at Harbin in his despatch No. 443, December 4; received January 5, 1937.
78. Not printed.
79. Not reprinted.