611.939/145: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Canton (Myers)
25. Your 10, January 17, 7 p.m.,76 in regard to the inability of the American Silk Spinning Company to obtain supplies of Canton silk waste. This firm reports that there have been no shipments of Canton silk waste since the beginning of June because of the inability of the firm’s suppliers (Reiss Bradley and Company, Spalinger and Company, and Siemssen and Company) to make deliveries from the interior to Hong Kong; that the firm has outstanding commitments with the above named suppliers for 2150 piculs; and that continued interruption of its supply of Canton silk waste will seriously curtail its operations.
Your political reports for March and April and Hong Kong’s telegram 197, June 15, 9 a.m.,77 indicate that the Japanese authorities are directly responsible for the situation and that it cannot be remedied without removal of Japanese restrictions. If upon investigation you feel satisfied that this is the case, please make appropriate representations to the Japanese authorities, emphasizing the dependence of American manufacturers upon a regular supply of Canton silk waste and requesting that Japanese restrictions be removed to the end that there may be an early resumption of shipments.
Unless you feel that it would be inopportune, the Department suggests that you utilize the occasion to express to the Japanese authorities concern over the continued closure of the Pearl River to commercial shipping in general and the desire that restrictions on trade be promptly removed.
Please report by radio results of your investigation, repeating to Hong Kong, Chungking and Peiping. Peiping please repeat to Tokyo.
Repeated to Hong Kong, Chungking and to Peiping for repetition to Tokyo.