893.76/59: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss)
146. Tour 14, January 4, 6 p.m. A representative of the Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company has informed the Department that the Japanese authorities are shipping to Shanghai from Japan a radio transmitter capable of sending messages direct from Shanghai to the United States and that they expect to be able and intend to establish and maintain direct commercial radio service between Shanghai and the United States beginning on or about May 1, 1938.
Representatives of the Radio Corporation of America, who apparently are not in close touch with the Mackay Radio and Telegraph Company, have also called at the Department. They stated, amongst other things, that the Radio Corporation of America had telegraphed the Director General of Telegraphs and Posts in Japan urging that [Page 272] direct commercial radio service be resumed as soon as possible between Shanghai and the United States; that they have received reply that direct radio service between Shanghai and the United States might be resumed soon but that no definite information on the matter could be given. The representatives of the Radio Corporation of America indicated that some intimation from the American Government to the Japanese authorities might be helpful toward a resumption of direct radio service between Shanghai and the United States.
The Department desires that, unless you perceive objection, you discreetly investigate the accuracy of the report that the Japanese intend to establish direct commercial radio service between Shanghai and the United States on or about May 1.
Please report by radio as soon as practicable.