Characterizing the attack by northern troops here last week upon the American steamer Alice Dollar and the American gunboat Monocacy as "deliberate, murderous and a flagrant violation of the right of protection which it is the duty of the Chinese government to afford shipping" the American Consul has demanded "heavy punishment' for the. offenders and has informed local military leaders that they will be held strictly accountable for this and for any future outrages that may occur. That the incident is of the gravest character and decisive steps will be taken by the American Government not only to obtain satisfaction, for the injuries inflicted but to prevent further assaults upon Americans or American commerce on the Upper Yangtze, is also declared in the consular communication. The message is addressed to Chiang P'an, Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of the local nfilitary administration.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.