893.801 Search/35
The Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs (C. T. Wang) to the American Minister in China (Johnson)11
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am in receipt of a note from the Ministry of Finance reading as follows:
“In order to protect the revenue and to prevent smuggling, the Inspector-General of Customs was instructed to prepare, and has submitted Instructions for the Guidance of Officers in Charge of Revenue Launches or Cruisers When Stopping and Searching Vessels, Foreign and Chinese, in Chinese Waters. These Instructions have been decided upon after consideration, have been approved by Mandate, and promulgated for enforcement. These Instructions were based upon the internationally recognized procedure governing the search and pursuit of vessels violating the laws. If a vessel of whatever nationality is found to have violated Chinese law in Chinese territorial waters, the Customs launch or cruiser may pursue and seize the vessel in question and impose penalties according to law. A vessel which has been pursued in territorial waters even though she escapes to the open sea may still be followed and seized. As regards the limits of territorial waters, until they are formally fixed 3 nautical miles shall be temporarily made the boundary lines.
“It is requested that you address formal notes to the Foreign Ministers to China for their information.”
I have the honor, Mr. Minister, to enclose herewith the above Instructions together with translation, each in duplicate, for your [Page 210] information, and to request that you inform those concerned of the above.
- Copy transmitted to the Department by the Minister in China in his despatch No. 610, November 20, 1930; received December 15. A translation of the note was also transmitted to the Department in telegram 978, November 12, 1930, 1 p.m., from the Minister in China (893.801 Search/33).↩