893.512/428: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Mayer) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 28—2:15 p.m.]
518. My 516 of October 28.
1. Following received from American consul, Canton, Stevens in charge, Jenkins having left for Hongkong October 22 on 7 days’ leavitem:
“October 26, 10 a.m. Jenkins’ telegram October 21, 1 p.m.73 The newly organized corps for the prevention and detection of smuggling is not functioning yet. I am informed by Chen that this corps will begin soon to board foreign vessels entering Canton for inspection of all passengers and baggage, foreigners to be subject to detention if they are suspected and do not have proper passports. This is considered by Commissioner of Customs as a flagrant disregard of the functions of the Maritime Customs. Am informed by British, Japanese, and French consuls that they are prepared to make resistance to boarding or interference with passengers and goods by Chinese on their respective vessels. While British consul general declares he will protest, he admits that keeping British docks at Canton clear of searchers may prove embarrassing.
Regulations have been published by the Finance Department for collection of a military surtax of 20 percent on all steamship passenger tickets, the levy to be on the basis of the regulations which govern the collecting of likin and other taxes. Registration with and obtaining of permits from the collector’s office are required from firms and persons offering steamship tickets for sale. I am informed by Chen that the tax on steamship tickets will not apply to American steamers.
Chen gives assurances of order at huge demonstration planned for today to protest the Wanhsien incident.”
2. Please instruct as to attitude our consular and naval authorities in Canton are to adopt concerning boarding of any vessels entering Canton and interference with passengers and goods.
3. Please refer in this connection to Legation’s number 69 of February 10,74 and correspondence pertinent thereto. In the present instance our right to trade in China would seem as in the case discussed in that telegram to be equally [at issue?], since the Canton regulations concerning visit and search would clearly appear to envisage direct prevention [Page 892] of the landing of American goods and passengers—an interference more dangerous and flagrant even than that in last February—by force where compliance with the illegal tax regulations is not given.