893.61331/140: Telegram
The Consul at Tsingtao (Sokobin) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 20—4:30 a.m.]
81. A representative of the Universal Leaf Tobacco Company has informed the Consulate that he learns the Japanese authorities are indicating opposition to a plan on which the company has been working for some time to utilize the organization of the well known Japanese trading firm Okura and Company for purchase and transportation of 1939 tobacco crop. It has been indicated that the Universal must enter the combine of Japanese firms mentioned in the Embassy’s telegram No. 623 of October 15, 10 a.m., 1938,39 and come to some sort of agreement with these firms.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping. By mail to Tokyo.