Page 305
Page 305
189
ships continued to call at Newchwang.
The Japanese believe that anchurian beans are being ship-
ped to Vientsin for transhipment to enemy territory.
They suspect that goods for which export permits had not
been granted, e.g. kaoliang, are being shipped with the beans.
They wish to prevent (1) British ships getting cargoes
which would otherwise be shipped by Dairen isen Kaisha and
(ii) illicit transactions by chinese merchants.
It would be almost impossible to prove that the Japanese
authorities are using unfair methods as the Chinese merchants
are too terror-stricken to say anything that might incur the
displeasure of the wantung Army.
As regards the Yokohama Specie Bank, ir. Ching said that
when the merchants first applied to the Bank they did not say
that their goods were going by a British ship and that the
attitude of the Bank stiffened when the "Nanning" Bills of
Lading were presented,
The Bank finally told Chinese shippers that it would grant
loans on the beans only if the shippers produced a letter of
guarantee from two Japanese firms stating that the beans were
not for transhipment to south China. The Chinese shiŋvers were
not able to get this guarantee in time and the ship sailed on
December 2nd with the Mitsui Bussan aisha cargo only. Nearly
half of the estimated total cargo was left behind.
As the Chief of Police had told the agent of the "Manning'
that membera of the crew would not be allowed to land without
permission, I called on this official who said that there was
no intention to prevent the crew from landing.
already been granted for them to land.
Permission had
British Consulate-General,
MUKDEN, December 5th, 1938.
Page 305
(sd.) Acting Consul.
W. W. McVittie.
Page 305
Page 305Page 306