File No. 893.00/739.
The Commander-in-chief of the Asiatic Squadron to the Secretary of the Navy.
Shanghai, December 2, 1911.
[Telegram transmitted to the Secretary of State Dec. 2, 1911.]
A communication signed Wu Ting Fang, received through the American Consul General, announces intention to patrol near Woo-sung and Kiang Yin forts for the purpose of boarding and searching foreign merchant vessels for contraband of war, and threatening seizure and confiscation before prize court if discovered; also requesting that vessels do not anchor near Woosung forts, in order to preserve line of fire. I have replied to the Consul General that, as the rebels are not recognized by the United States as belligerents, I can not allow the seizure of American ships under any pretext; and that, while American vessel will clear line of fire in case of actual fighting, the request to do so while there are not any hostile men-of-war in China involves unnecessary inconvenience to trade guaranteed by treaty with titular Government.
It is currently reported that munitions of war have been carried to Hankow by German steamers.