893.801 Search/13: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
330. Following has been received from Nanking:
“May 12, 4 p.m. The following aide-mémoire has just been handed me by Frank Lee, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs:
‘The National Government of the Republic of China, for the purpose of localizing the present rebellion of the Northern Militarists, has instructed Commander Shen Hung-lieh to proceed to Tsingtau and despatch Government vessels with orders to stop and search all vessels proceeding to or leaving the port of Tientsin. In the event that arms and all munitions of any kind whatever, for which no huchao has been issued by the competent authorities of the National Government, are found upon such vessels, all such illegally transported arms and/or munitions shall be treated as contraband and subjected [Page 114] to confiscation while the vessel conveying the contraband will be dealt with in accordance with law. Nanking, May 12, 1930.’
Lee said that the action outlined is in no sense a blockade and that the hope of the Government is to make it effective with as little inconvenience as possible to all concerned.”
I have sent the following reply:
“May 13, 5 p.m. Your May 12, 4 p.m. Subject to the Minister’s approval, please hand the following to the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs:
‘The American Legation has received the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ aide-mémoire of May 12, 1930, and notes that the Chinese Government has instructed Admiral Shen Hung-lieh to proceed to Tsingtau and despatch Government ships to stop and search all vessels proceeding to or leaving the port of Tientsin and that, in the event that arms and munitions of any kind whatever not covered by huchao issued by the competent authorities of the Chinese Government are found upon such vessels, the arms and munitions are to be treated as contraband and confiscated and the vessels dealt with in accordance with law. The attention of the Chinese is invited to the fact that the only authorities of the Chinese Government authorized to board and search American vessels are the authorities of the Chinese Maritime Customs, and the Chinese Government will be held accountable for any damages or losses which may be suffered by vessels flying the American flag in consequence of any attempt to effect illegally the boarding and search outlined in aide-mémoire of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of May 12, 1930.’
Commander in Chief, Tientsin, Chefoo and Tsingtau are being informed.
Repeated to the Department.”
- Telegram in three sections.↩