File No. 893.00/739.

The Commander-in-chief of the Asiatic Squadron to the Secretary of the Navy.

[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.

Murdock.