893.00/12589: Telegram
The Minister in China (Johnson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 21—9:30 a.m.]
925. Reference Legation’s 923, December 20, 5 p.m. American Consul General Hong Kong in radiogram dated December 20, 11 a.m., reports as follows to the American Consul Foochow:
“Texas Company steamer Texaco Eleven probably sailed for [from?] Amoy this morning for Foochow with cargo of kerosene and gasoline. Ship flies British flag but is chartered by Texas Company. Master [has?] written instructions to submit to search on demand of the Chinese Navy and if warned not to enter Foochow, he will proceed to Shanghai with cargo.”
Consul General adds that company
“begs United States to advise our naval commander in chief probable arrival of Texaco Eleven and to take such other measures as may be possible for safety of ship and cargo.”
2. Commander in Chief of United States Asiatic Fleet informs me that he has received no reports from American naval ship indicating presence of Chinese naval vessels which are stopping or searching foreign merchant vessels off Foochow. In view of this report and of that contained in paragraph 5 of my December 20, 5 p.m., it is not anticipated that British steamer chartered by Texas Company will experience difficulty at Foochow.