893.24/991: Telegram
The Chargé in France (Murphy) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 17—11:08 a.m.]
1147. Department’s telegram No. 843, December 13, 7 p.m. Chauvel states that the Foreign Office has no information which would confirm the fears expressed by our Consul at Hanoi with respect to the future plans of the Government General. He read us pertinent portions of a lengthy telegram received several days ago from [Hanoi?] which listed by categories the cargo affected by the export ban and gave a general list of the names of the owners thereof including the Far Eastern Trading Corporation. The telegram stated that such portions thereof as the Government needed would be requisitioned (Chauvel spoke particularly of the sizeable quantity of French owned rails which he hoped would be the subject of such requisition—Embassy’s telegram No. 943, November 12, 7 p.m.77).
[Page 241]The remaining goods which would be the greater portion for the time being would either be left in warehouse or turned over “to the Chinese or American owners” for consumption in Indochina at the latter’s option. He had no information concerning any contemplated plans or indirect method to compel disposition of the goods affected by the present temporary reexport ban through customs fines, et cetera. He indicated that it would facilitate matters if the Embassy could be informed more specifically with respect to the nature of the goods in question, especially those financed by credits of the Export-Import Bank.
As to the negotiations on this question in Tokyo, the Foreign Office has no recent news and Chauvel expressed the view that there is at present a conflict between the Japanese Foreign Office and the War Ministry. He stated that Matsuoka had frankly agreed with Ambassador Henry as to the correctness of the French position and that the French are insisting on the right of reexportation. He also said that these negotiations are in no way connected with those for a general economic agreement between Japan and Indochina which, as the Department is aware, are scheduled to commence shortly at Tokyo.
- Not printed.↩