ABSTRACT
The first intimation I had that I might be appointed as Inspector General of Customs was in Washington, on February 5, 1943. The entry in my diary is as follows:
“at 4.30 to State Department, a cable from Gauss 1 re Customs affairs, which are in a bad way. Maze 2 and Joly 3 both want to quit; Bradley 4 wants to go but can’t. Gauss said that the Chinese Govt. might offer me the No. 1 Customs job but warned that, before accepting, I should obtain clear-cut agreement as to my authority, etc.”
This was followed, on Feb. 13, 1943 by a letter from Hugh Bradley (Chungking):“Letter from Hugh Bradley says Maze has suggested my name as I.G. Hugh paints dismal picture of Customs situation and warns me to watch my step. (Letter came through Gauss and State Dept.)”
