File No. 893.00/1784.
The American Chargé d’Affaires to the Secretary of State.
Peking, July 24, 1913.
The Foreign Office asks consent of diplomatic representatives to permit Chinese officers to search foreign vessels and houses for concealed rebels, and munitions of war without consular visa in places where there is no consul of nationality concerned or where consuls [Page 126] cannot be reached in time. Also asks consent to the trial and punishment by Chinese of foreigners within the fighting lines aiding rebels. The Diplomatic Corps will insist on treaty rights.
The Diplomatic Corps declines the request of Shanghai Chamber of Commerce to request both of the opposed forces to refrain from hostilities within twenty miles of Shanghai.
Sun Yat Sen having demanded resignation from office of Yuan Shih Kai, Sun has been dismissed from the Railway Commission. Tong Shao Yi also requested Yuan to resign; Yuan replied that he would continue.