London, Sept. 13.
To prevent the abuse of the British flag in Chinese waters, the Board of Trade have advised masters of British ships-bound for Chinese ports, that in the absence of a British warship, they shóuld, if requested to heave to by a Japanese warship, allow Japanese officers to examine the certificate of registry.
The Japanese warship, for its part, is expected to report by wireless io the British Naval authorities, British merchantmen will also report to the British Naval authorities. These proceedings will be unnecessary where a British warship is within call to undertake verification of papers.
It is made clear in London that in giving facilities for verification of registry in the Japanese blockade of the China coast, the British Government is reserving all its rights—Wireless through Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.