893.801 Search/4
The American Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs (C. T. Wang)86
Excellency: I have the honor to invite Your Excellency’s attention to the unauthorized action of certain military authorities in Shanghai in boarding and searching the S. S. Chi Chuen, an American vessel belonging to the Yangtze Rapid[s] Steamship Company, Federal Incorporated U. S. A., at 10:15 a.m. on August 9th, while the vessel was entering the Whangpoo River on a voyage from Chungking to Shanghai.
In this relation I have the honor to enclose a copy of a statement of the Master, Captain Harris,87 in regard to the incident. A perusal of this statement with particular reference to the last paragraph will show the danger of such unauthorized forcible boarding and search of American vessels, and I have the honor to request that Your Excellency will investigate the matter, and will issue the necessary instructions for the punishment of the military authorities involved, and the issuance of instructions that will insure cessation of such illegal activities in the future.
I avail myself [etc.]