793.94/8450: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart)
302. Your 616, December 16, 3 p.m.
1. The Department perceives no objection to Berger addressing an informal communication to the “Chief of Police, Peitaiho Beach” in regard to the robberies of American property.
2. With regard to the question raised in paragraph 2 of your telegram under reference, the Department concurs in the view expressed by the Embassy that no useful purpose would be served in discussing with the “East Hopei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government” a matter affecting its revenue. The Department feels, therefore, that it is not advisable to make any representations to that regime in regard to this matter.
For your information it may be observed that informal efforts on the part of American consular representatives with a view to protecting American interests in the territory controlled by the “East Hopei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government” would not warrant any implication of recognition by this Government of the regime in question.
3. As a matter of record, it is suggested that the Embassy give consideration to bringing, at an appropriate time and in an appropriate manner, the case to the attention of the Chinese Foreign Office.18
- The Embassy in China, in its despatch No. 958, January 5, 1937, reported that “two shipments of petroleum products have recently been made by the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company to its agents in the East Hopei area without molestation and that, as the situation now stands, Mr. Berger does not consider that any action by the American authorities is required.” (793.94/8514)↩