611.939/206: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China (Johnson)
217. Your 574, October 29, 11 a.m., and 575, October 30, 9 a.m.,5 shipment of bristles from Chungking. The Department agrees that this Government should not enter objection to any reasonable measures in control of trade taken by the Chinese Government to meet necessities of the existing emergency situation. However, regardless of the accuracy of the information supplied the Embassy, it would appear that in the present case American companies are suffering from unreasonable restrictions upon their right to purchase goods in China and export them to this country. With particular reference to the suggestions contained in paragraph 5 of your 575, the Department is of the opinion that the most appropriate method of presenting the difficulties experienced by American companies in their efforts to purchase and to export bristles is through the Embassy at Chungking. The Department therefore desires that you approach the Chinese Foreign Office in such manner as you deem appropriate and request that the Chinese Government take immediate steps to remove the unreasonable obstacles which impede the conduct of legitimate business. You may also point out in this connection the losses which this situation is causing the Chinese Government. If appropriate occasion offers you are also authorized to take this matter up informally with other Chinese officials who might be in position to take effective action toward amelioration of the situation.
Bearing in mind the consideration presented in the last sentence of your 575, the Department suggests that in your approaches you avoid raising or discussing the causes which have brought about this interference with American business in China, and that you emphasize that, interested American firms in this country having brought to the Department’s attention the existence of such interference, this Government is interested in the prompt removal of the interference and looks to the Chinese Government to take immediate and effective action to this end.
Sent to Chungking only.
- Neither printed.↩