893.00/10974: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)

240. Your 575 of July 14, 8 p.m. It is the Department’s opinion that the prohibitions imposed on American citizens by Revised Statutes, Sections 4090 and 4102, are still in force. However, authority to enforce these laws is vested in the United States Court for China by virtue of Section 1 of the Act of June 30, 1906 (34 Statutes 1814 [814]). Accordingly, the Department is of the opinion that when the American Minister or any American consular officer in China has information tending to show that American citizens are engaged in military activities contrary to the provisions of law mentioned, such information [Page 25] should be brought to the attention of the District Attorney at Shanghai for appropriate investigation and report to the Court.

Stimson