Soldiers Vessel at Chinkiang Landing Enforcing their commands with' ready Mauser pistols, a gang of armed and. uniformed Chinese Soldiers, claiming to be members of the Nationalist' Regular Army, boarded and seized the British steamer Wuchang at Chinkiang' Boat Landing on the Yangtze River early (on January 18, holding the vessel in their possession for over two hours while a thorough search was conducted, according to report made to H. M. Consulate [General in Shanghai on Jan. 15. by Messrs. Butterfield & Swirey operators of the China Navigation Company, to which the ship belongs.
"Although no warrant or official authorisation of any kind for the Search was presented, two Chinese passengers were taken into custody fand hustled off the steamer by the Whether or not any contraband was found by the searchers, Messrs. Butterfield & Swire stated on Jan. 15 they had not been advised, although nothing of this nature was aboard With the knowledge or consent of the owners or master. Reports published in Chinese newspapers, however, averred.that 100 catties opium had been located and con-Rscated by the soldiers, apparently having been concealed' by Chinese passengers or members of the native crew.
boarding and seizing the Wehang, the searchers succeeded in evading the British gunboat Cricket, which is patrolling the Yangtze River in an effort to halt piracies and unauthorised searching of British steamers, four of which have been held up in this manner recently, the Hsin Tseangteh near the same point on December 10 last, Only two weeks ago, a gang of Chinese soldiers were caught in the act of seizing the British CUS. Wuhu further up the river and, after being taken prisoners by H. Cricket were turned over to National authorities for tr information as to the disposi these eases has been made public as yet.
When the search was complete fa signal was given by one of tt leaders and the gang, numbering. from 30 to 40 it is estimated, went over. the side again, into their launch, stil without any explanation being offered the master or officers of the vessel, Although a sharp took-out had been maintained on the Wuchang for the Cricket, or any' other gunboat which could be signalled for shee, no rescuing raft were sighted and the launch teamed away in the darkness, no Tights whatsoever being shown.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.