393.115 Hunt Company, William/36: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:20 p.m.]
318. Department’s 167, June 7, 6 p.m., second paragraph. A letter to Admiral LeBreton from the officer in command of the Monocacy at Kiukiang states that on June 15 the hulk of China Merchants hoisted the American flag; that he has been informed by the local manager of China Merchants that he had been instructed by the Chinese Government to hoist the American flag over its godowns, launches, offices and lighters. I respectfully request permission to notify Chinese Foreign Office that this whole question of the ownership of these properties has been carefully examined by the American Government and that it has not found that any proper transfer has taken place. Captain Conlan84 reports that steamers of China Merchants will continue to fly Chinese flag as they have been commandeered by military.
Repeated to Shanghai.
- Lt. Clarence V. Conlan, U. S. N., commanding U. S. S. Monocacy.↩