793.94/8409: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in China (Lockhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 3—7 a.m.]
583. Following telegram has been received from Tsingtau:
“December 3, 11 a.m. Japanese merchant marine landed 800 armed sailors during night to protect 9 Japanese cotton mills which declared lockout yesterday.
The City Hall was surrounded by Japanese sailors who withdrew from this one place this morning.
The Japanese landing party arrested and are still questioning nine Chinese among whom are local officials, Tangpu officers and newspapermen.
Situation on all streets normal.
Labor situation did not appear to outside observers so serious as to warrant lockout.”
Repeated to Nanking and Tokyo.