Lester Knox Little

(March 20, 1892 — October 27, 1981). The last foreign, and only American, Inspector General of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service. His period of service straddled the Republic of China on the mainland and its subsequent flight and reestablishment on the island of Taiwan.

February 1, 1950

Had about 6 hours sleep but routed out of bed before daylight to breakfast at Wake Island. The sun came up as we ate in

February 2, 1950

To E.C.A. office where I had a talk with Vincent Cecchi, acting chief of mission. Met most of the E.C.A. staff. Called on American Ambassador

February 3, 1950

Saw Bonnie Liu (Mrs. Sycip) in her I.R.O. office. To Custom House where I spent most of morning. Had long talk with Alfredo V. Jacinto,

February 4, 1950

Fay Bailey called for me and took me to his house. Althea greeted me cordially, and I met the German twins. Jeffrey and Janet who

February 4, 1950

Fay Bailey called for me and took me to his house. Althea greeted me cordially, and I met the German twins. Jeffrey and Janet who

February 5, 1950

To office and to Custom House a.m. and p.m. Tried to see Jacinto in afternoon, but he was out for the day. Actually, he is

February 6, 1950

To lunch here: Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Sycip (formerly Bonnie Liu). Mr. Sycip’s grandfather came to Manila from Amoy. His Chinese name was “Hsueh”, which

February 7, 1950

Started writing some of my _preliminary observations on the Philippine Customs. Drafted a letter for the Secretary of Finance (Pio Pedrosa) to send to Phil

February 8, 1950

Foster Knight returned last night from an inspection trip with Pio Pedrosa, the Secretary of Finance. It was nice to see him again; odd how

February 9, 1950

E.C.A. staff meeting at 8:15 am. Wrote memorandum to Secretary of Finance recommending change in relationship between Commissioner of Customs and Collector of Port of

February 10, 1950

Plugged away in the office all morning, although Saturday is a holiday. Got quite a lot of writing done. Foster Knight had dinner with me

February 11, 1950

Worked several hours on memorandum. To baseball game at Rizal Stadium –Formosa vs some local community (Santo Tomas). Quite a good game. Have been entirely

February 12, 1950

To Custom House. Finished two memorandums. Had 1 hour talk with Muni, head of Allied Warehouses (Customs brokers, etc.) and learned a lot about the

February 13, 1950

Made a couple of calls. Lunch here: Roy Jastram (Internal Revenue); Foster Knight; Dr. Dalupan; Mr. Gomez; Dr. Francisco (3 members of the Dept. of

February 14, 1950

To lunch at Lion’s Club as guest of Pio Pedrosa, Secretary of Finance. 9-10 had conference with Pedrosa, Jacinto, Jastram and Knight. Handed my memorandum

February 15, 1950

Had conference with Jacinto, Milleres and Foster Knight at custom House. Jacinto had appeared before Budget Committees of House of Representatives this morning, and had

February 16, 1950

Interview with President Quirino. (Introduced by Selden Chapin, US Chargé d’ Affaires). He was very cordial, and gave me an opening to preach my little

February 17, 1950

Finished memorandum on Customs Enforcement Divisions. Wrote a lot of short letters. Walked to National City Bank to cash a cheek Paid hotel bill. Spent

February 19, 1950

My nose to the grindstone all day, drafting my report — or starting it. Foster Knight had Mr. David Gunnell to lunch here. He is

February 20, 1950

In office here all day. To dinner at Delgado’s (Delgado’s Bros. Arrastre Contractors). Mrs. Delgado very pretty, mother of 4. I held the 9 month

February 21, 1950

Mr. P.V. Gonzale (Nate’s local agent) took me to the government-owned cotton mill, where the Manager showed us over the place. (I took Nathan, E.C.A.

February 22, 1950

Holiday for E.C.A. but I worked, finishing odds and ends and getting my report polished up. With Foster Knight lunched at Capt. Rayon’s [Razon] house,

February 23, 1950

The Cecchi’s had E.C.A. staff for cocktails. After dinner, Foster Knight showed us his colored photographs of Korea and Hongkong. Conference with some of the

February 24, 1950

Had all three meals in the hotel for about the first time. The food here get very monotonous. Wrote several letters.

February 25, 1950

Yesterday and today I wrote 12 letters, — to US, England, Australia, Spain, Portugal, India, Hongkong, Taiwan, Burma and Shanghai. Had first swim in the

February 26, 1950

Lunch at the Staplers lovely house in Rizal (next door to the Huie home). He is Capt. Jack Stapler’s brother, and in Marsman & Co.

February 27, 1950

Up at 5:30 and to airport with Adm. Giles Stedman. Got off at 7 a.m. by Philippine Air Lines Skymaster (DC-4). Up east coast of