893.24/949: Telegram
The Consul at Hanoi (Reed) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:33 a.m.]
32. 1. Reference my telegram No. 29, November 5, 3 p.m. Yesterday afternoon the Secretary General informed me that it would be impossible to implement the agreement for the reexportation of American-owned petroleum at this time, chiefly because of Japanese pressure, although on the strength of the assurance given November 4 the Texas Oil Company had chartered a Panamanian vessel which is now on the way to Haiphong. Because the assurance was definite and by a responsible official, I have requested strongly a reconsideration.
2. The premises of the North American Syndicate, registered at Shanghai, were occupied by the Japanese yesterday afternoon under permission of the Government General which is requisitioning the property for Japanese use. Moreover, the premises are being requisitioned from the Indochina Railway (without notice to the American Company) who leased them to the China Syndicate which in turn re-leased the premises to the North American Syndicate.
[Page 203]3. It appears evident from the above and other recent developments that the Government General has lost all control of the situation in Tongking and that the Japanese are doing as they wish without regard for third party rights. While the Government General officials protest that they do everything to assist American interests, I see little evidence of their accomplishing much to this end and I am frankly pessimistic as to the fate of both American and Chinese cargo at Haiphong, particularly any part which at any time belonged to the Chinese Government.
Sent to Cavite for repetition to the Department, Chungking, Peiping, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Canton.