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

793.94/8450: Telegram

The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State

Peiping, December 16, 1936—3 p.m.
[Received December 16—2 p.m.]

616. Berger³ reports that there have recently occurred several robberies of American and British property at Peitaiho Beach, now under the control of the “East Hopei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government”. Berger states that the British Consul General at Tientsin has made representations to the Chief of Police at Peitaiho and he requests instructions regarding the advisability of his addressing similar representations to that official. The Embassy considers that Berger might appropriately address an informal communication to the “Chief of Police, Peitaiho Beach”, on strictly police matter and that this action would not be likely to imply any recognition of the East Hopei regime.

2. Berger also reports that the “East Hopei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government” has issued an “instruction” to the three foreign oil companies operating in North China, directing them to pay import duties on all goods shipped into territory controlled by that regime. Standard Vacuum Oil Company has protested to the Commissioner of Customs at Tientsin against this additional taxation on the ground that the East Hopei regime is not recognized by the Chinese Government and that its territory is still under the jurisdiction of the Chinese Maritime Customs. No reply has been received to that protest and it does not seem likely that any effective action can be taken by the Chinese Government. The Standard Vacuum Oil Company has requested the assistance of the American authorities, but the Embassy does not feel that representations to the East Hopei regime in a matter affecting its revenue would be effective, and it likewise entertains doubt of the advisability of doing so lest its representations on so important a matter be construed as recognition of regime by the American authorities.

The Department’s instructions by radio on the two matters above-mentioned are respectfully requested.

Lockhart

3. David C. Berger, Consul at Tientsin.