The State Department reiterates that American naval forees in Chinese waters are available for the protection of American lives and property only and will not be used to maintain the present Customs Hankow or elsewhere, the collection of which is regarded as the function of the Chinese Government, While the situation at Hankow will be closely watched it is hoped that with the arrival of the Canton Government at Wuchang the aetivities of the unions at Hankow will be curbed. If necessary, however, American residents will be evacuate ed.—Reutcr,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.