893.114 Narcotics/739: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:52 p.m.]
236. American Consul General at Hankow13 forwards letter from special inspector of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the area requesting permission for Chinese Opium Suppression Bureau to have a representative present during search of American gunboats on the Yangtze for suspected smuggled narcotics. Adams sent Chinese official concerned to Admiral Wainwright14 who under naval regulations refused desired permission. It appears that there have been occasions when narcotics have been smuggled on various foreign river gunboats. British Yangtze admiral informed Adams that the British had permitted one representative of Opium Suppression Bureau to be present on British naval vessel when it was searched by its officers for narcotics. Chinese state that French naval authorities have given similar permission in respect to French naval vessels.
[Page 357]- 2.
- I agree with American naval authorities that presence of alien authority on board American national vessel should not be permitted and I am accordingly unwilling to press matter with Admiral Wainwright although Adams urges cooperation with the Chinese authorities concerned and expresses the opinion that in view of the cooperative attitude of the British and French naval authorities our refusal to permit presence of an unarmed civil official on American gunboats when they are searched by their own officers for narcotics will cause suspicions and irritation on part of the Chinese authorities. Before instructing Adams togo no’ further in the matter I desire the Department’s instructions.
- 3.
- In regard to this whole matter I would observe that such smuggling as has been done on foreign gunboats on the Yangtze has probably been done by casual Chinese employees on gunboats rather than by members of enlisted personnel who are under strict discipline and have careers at stake. Should there be evidence that casual employees on American gunboats are concerned in smuggling and if we are to maintain that a Chinese civil official may not be present when our national ships are searched by their own officers it might be desirable that casual employment of Chinese on American gunboats be discontinued.