893.801 Search/58: Telegram
The Consul General at Hankow (Adams) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:39 p.m.]
125. 1. Yesterday morning about 30 armed and 200 unarmed soldiers belonging to the Chinese salt revenue guard boarded the American motor vessel Ifung lying alongside a hulk at Hankow. The American steamship Iping was at the same moment hauling herself alongside the Ifung. The Iping, downbound from Ichang, had on board an armed naval guard from the U. S. S. Polos and also approximately 18 tons of silver reported to belong to the Young Brothers Banking Corporation.
2. The American armed guard requested the Chinese soldiers to leave the Ifung. The Chinese soldiers refused to do so. The armed guard thereupon exploded tear gas bombs among the Chinese soldiers who hurriedly left the Ifung. So far as could be ascertained by the American naval authorities no one was injured during the incident.
3. Shortly thereafter the incident was discussed by the commanding officer of the Guam with a Chinese officer who came aboard and who claimed to be the commander of the Fourth Independent Battalion of Government Revenue Guards.
4. I received my first information regarding the incident yesterday afternoon. I have thus far received no complaint from the Chinese authorities with regard to the incident.
Legation and Nanking informed.