123R542/185: Telegram
The Consul at Chefoo (Roberts) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 2—11:45 a.m.]
At 11:30 this morning, during picketing of the British Bank, Chinese police with support of two armed Japanese sailors forcibly searched me, as I left the bank, for Chinese national currency after I had identified myself as American consul by means of a certificate in Japanese issued by the Japanese Consul. I have lodged vigorous protest with Japanese Consul demanding: (1) apology for the indignity; (2) punishment of Japanese guard responsible for the search; and (3) assurances that adequate measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
Sent to Peiping, repeated to Chungking.