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policed by the Tsingtao Municipal Government.
The police attend
at the wharf on the arrival of steamers and scrutinize, and on occasion search, Chinese passengers disembarking. They are, of course, the appropriate authority for searching Chinese deck passengers before embarcation, and it seems that it should be a
matter of no great difficulty for them to do this in the case of those proceeding by the China Navigation Company's steamers (usually between 20 and 40 such passengers board these steamers at Tsingtao).
3.
I accordingly obtained an interview with Mr. Yang Chinsheng, Counsellor to the local Government, and explained what is required. Mr. Yang said he was sure the Government would be very willing to have this duty carried out by their police, but he would first submit the matter to the Mayor before the
necessary instructions were issued. He has since informed me
by telephone that the Mayor fully approves and instructions have been issued for all Chinese deck passengers and their baggage to be searched before embarcation on the steamers in question.
4.
Mr. Rodger has been in touch with the police
He will
authorities on the subject and learns from them that it will take a few days to work out the necessary arrangements. inform me when the measure has come into operation and whether it seems to be working satisfactorily for all concerned.
5.
I have pointed out to Mr. Rodger that it may Occasionally happen that others than Chinese or persons under Chinese jurisdiction proceed as deok passengers, and that such Occasions would have to be specially dealt with, as and when they
arise. Mr. Rodger has promised that his office will bear this
point in mind.
I have, etc.,
(Signed) H. Prideaux Brune.
Acting Consul-General.