893.801 Search/34: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
394. Your 978, November 12, 1 p.m.15 The Department prefers to withhold comment on the proposed procedure for the stopping and searching of vessels until it has received text of note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with enclosures. Pending the receipt of the Department’s further instructions,16 the Legation may, if circumstances warrant, inform the Chinese authorities that the Legation makes full reservation of rights granted to American citizens and shipping under the treaties. Inform the Department promptly of any action taken in connection with American vessels under the new instructions.