693.002/668: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 27—2:25 p.m.]
728. Peiping’s 322, May 26, noon.99
1. Inspector General of Customs has informed me that he has received information from the Commissioner of Customs to the effect that the Japanese authorities are prepared to authorize customs control north of Soochow Creek and to introduce the new tariff simultaneously on June 1. Inspector General states that if he is approached on the subject of the application of the revised tariff his position will be that he has no authority to depart from the existing tariff rates. He has inquired what the attitude of the American Government will be in the event of the “Reform Government” attempting to compel the Commissioner of Customs to collect the new rates. The Inspector General fears if he declines to comply with the demand that the new rates be collected the Shanghai Customshouse may be seized and the integrity of the customs service destroyed. He refers to the fact that he suggested some time ago to the Chinese Government the desirability of introducing the 1931 tariff on its own initiative but that no action has yet been taken.
Repeated to Hankow, Peiping and Tokyo.
- Not printed.↩