793.94112/314: Telegram
The Consul General at Canton (Myers) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 30—12:50 a.m.]
9. Reference my 8, January 27, 2 p.m. According to the Commissioner of Customs, the Japanese Consulate General yesterday informed [Page 489] him that the Japanese Government was extremely anxious that the first stage in the opening of the Pearl River for cargo transportation be carried out at once; that it was essential for this purpose that seven Japanese customs officers (mentioned in my telegram under reference) be appointed and arrive here; and that the Japanese Navy was prepared to furnish air transportation for them from Shanghai. The Consulate General further stated that representatives of the Japanese Army and Navy had arrived here on the 27th by airplane from Japan in order to expedite the river’s opening and that delay in the transfer of the seven Japanese from Tientsin which had occurred was presumably due to insistence of the Japanese authorities there that Japanese replacements be provided. The Consulate General strongly urged the taking of immediate steps in this matter and it is understood that the Commissioner yesterday telegraphed the substance of treaties to the Inspector General.
As possibly having a bearing on the failure of the Customs authorities to meet the wishes of the Tientsin Japanese, it is understood that in October last slightly over 50% of the foreign personnel of the Customs was Japanese.
It is felt here that the Japanese Government’s apparent haste to open the Pearl and Yangtze Rivers is prompted by political or diplomatic considerations.
Repeated to Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong.