393.115 Standard-Vacuum Oil Co./89: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Peck) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 13—9:55 a.m.]
171. Following from Shanghai.
“March 10, 6 p.m. I have today wired to the Chairman of Provincial Government protesting a reported threat of the Ningpo garrison commander to levy a so-called welfare tonnage tax and survey fee against the Standard-Vacuum Company’s vessel Meinan which carries [Page 300] survey certificate letter of a recognized American Classification Bureau.
The Embassy is respectfully requested to likewise protest these unlawful charges to the Central Government.”
I have addressed following note to the Chinese Foreign Office dated March 13:
“The American Embassy presents its compliments to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and has the honor to state that a telegraphic report has been received from the American Consul General at Shanghai to the effect that he has received information that the garrison commander at Ningpo in Chekiang Province intends to levy a so-called ‘welfare tonnage tax and survey fee’ against vessels of the Standard-Vacuum Oil Company; the Consul General observes that these vessels carry survey certificates issued by the American Classification Bureau, an organization recognized by the Chinese Government as authorized to issue such certificates, and that any attempt on the part of the authorities of Chekiang Province to collect additional tonnage taxes and survey fees would be irregular; he asks therefore that the National Government forbid such action.
The Embassy requests that this report be brought to the attention of the appropriate department of the National Government, with a view to the issuing of instructions forbidding the collection of the irregular taxation described in this communication.”
Repeated to Shanghai.