Local military authorities have been eloquently silent since the attack occurred. Except for a communication from the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs attempting to shift the responsibil lity to the insurgent leader Chou Hsi-cheng, who was at the time of the affair attacking the city from across the river, there has been no word uttered in explanation. of or apology for the firing.
The note from the Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, issued four days after the attack was addressed to all local consular officials and advised foreign steamer to suspend sailings until the "bandits" attacking Chungking were destroyed Replying to the note, the American. consul points out that Chou Hsi-cheng has scrupulously and at all times observed the treaty rights and has made no attempt to interfere with foreign ships. He also points out that Chou was not operating in the vicinity of the attack upon the Alice Dollar and that the shots fired at the steamer and her escort were not fired at any enemy on the opposite bank of the river, but directly at the two ships. e reply reiterates the demand for penalties and satisfaction for the injuries inflicted.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.