893.801 Search/24
The Minister in China (Johnson) to
the Secretary of State
Peiping, May 8, 1930.
[Received June
18.]
No. 193
Sir: With reference to the Legation’s telegram
No. 179, of March 6, 1 p.m., concerning the boarding and searching of
American vessels by Chinese armed forces, I have the honor to transmit
herewith a copy of a note addressed on March 4, 1930, to the Minister
for Foreign Affairs5
protesting against the actions mentioned, together with a copy, in
translation, of his reply of April 10, 1930. The Legation does not
consider the reply satisfactory, but, since these searchings are
believed to have been discontinued, no further communication will be
addressed to the Chinese Government on the matter unless the Department
so instructs.
There is further enclosed a copy of an instruction addressed to-day to
the American Consul General at Hankow in the premises.5
I have [etc.]
For the Minister:
Mahlon F.
Perkins
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs
(C. T.
Wang) to the American
Minister (Johnson)
L–56
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your formal note (No. 23) of March 4th stating that,
although the authorities of Hunan have issued orders exempting the
vessels belonging to the Standard Oil Company of New York from
search, you were informed that such vessels proceeding from Changsha
to Chenglingki and points north were being held up and searched by
armed soldiers, ostensibly to enforce regulations forbidding the
exportation of rice. You protest this action and request me to issue
immediate orders for the discontinuance of such activities.
The foregoing was referred by note by this Ministry to the Hunan
Provincial Government for investigation and reply. A reply has now
been received, stating:
“Sometime ago the soldiers stationed at Yochow searched
American merchantmen because bandits and communists were
running rampant on the opposite bank of the river and
because an active suppression of bandits was at the same
time being enforced at Shihshowhsien and Kienlihsien, Hupeh.
It was feared that bandits and communists might have
indiscriminately mingled on board the boats which were
accordingly searched. Since the Provincial Government has
enforced regulations forbidding the exportation of rice, the
Rice-Export Prohibition Bureau and the troops stationed at
Yochow, in order to be especially careful, have made
repeated searches. It was found that the steam launches
belonging to the Standard Oil Company of New York had more
than once violated the injunction and shipped rice. Fifteen
piculs of rice were the first time found to have been
secretly carried by the steam launch Mei
Shan. Later, four piculs of rice were found in the
coal on board the steam launch Mei
Foo in excess of the quantity needed for food (in
addition there being more than six piculs on board for food
purposes). The above are the past circumstances of this
case.
“The Bureau of Finance has been ordered to instruct its
officers at Changsha and Yochow that whenever they desire to
board ships and make searches in carrying out the
rice-export prohibition, they should be accompanied by
Customs officials in order to avoid misunderstanding.”
I have the honor, Mr. Minister, to make this reply for your
information.
Wang Cheng-t’ing
[Nanking,] April 10, 1930.
