893.801 Search/18
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs (Hornbeck)
Admiral Hughes15 called on the telephone and referred to the Department’s telegram16 discussed between Mr. Josselyn17 and Captain Furlong18 this morning, instructing the American Minister to China with regard to the position to be taken in connection with the Chinese proposal to search vessels going into and out of Tientsin. Admiral Hughes said that he thought it should be made clear that our tolerance of search by authorized Chinese of vessels did not apply to search if made outside of the three-mile limit. He said that he was apprehensive lest the Chinese might attempt to make such search on the high seas, for instance, at the Taku Bar outside of the three-mile limit. He said that he thought we should not tolerate that. Mr. Hornbeck replied that he would assume that this was a principle of high policy. The Admiral replied that he agreed and that the Navy was not disposed to admit the right of anyone to stop, search and seize on the high seas. Mr. Hornbeck said that he would bring this point to the attention of the Under Secretary or the Secretary but that in the interval he felt that if an instruction need go forward it might be advisable for the Navy Department to telegraph to the Commander-in-Chief; and said that he understood from the incoming telegram which the Navy Department had this morning that the Minister and the Commander-in-Chief are in consultation and that after the Minister receives the Department’s expression of views they will confer further. The Admiral said that that was his understanding. The conversation ended with an understanding that the Admiral would telegraph to the Commander-in-Chief.