No. 62.
Mr. Fish to Mr. Low.
Washington, March 15, 1873.
Sir: On the 13th instant the minister of France in this country called upon me and showed me a note (of which a copy* is inclosed) addressed to him by M. de Rémusat, the minister of foreign affairs of France, inclosing a copy of an instruction from Lord Granville to the British embassador at Paris, relative to the audience question. In this note the French government declares itself in favor of pressing the question of granting audience to representatives of foreign powers on the occasion of the young Emperor’s attaining his majority, believing that neglect to do so at that time will be argued against the right of audience in the future. The government of Great Britain, however, thinks it more advisable not to press the matter at present, and that foreign ministers in China, on the Emperor’s attaining his majority, in order not to embarrass his action at a critical time, should confine action to the extension to him of their felicitations and the expression of hope that he may see fit to grant the audience.
I stated to the Marquis de Noailles that we have not received a copy of the British paper as yet, although it is stated on its face that it is to be sent to the other powers, and, therefore, I preferred not to enter with him into a formal presentation of views; that I had been of opinion that the occasion of the Emperor’s accession would be a suitable time for the solution of the question, but that I would hold my opinion open as to the course to be pursued for the consideration of the views of the British ministry at the same time telling him that the views of this Government seem to be much more in harmony with those of France than those expressed by Great Britain. I informed him of the general nature of my instruction to you, (No. 115, of 21st of December last,) which was dependent on the concurrent action of the representatives of all the treaty-powers. That I was clearly of opinion that without [Page 159] the assent of all, none of the foreign representatives at Peking should take any advanced step in insisting upon the audience. In this the marquis professed to concur. I saw the British minister shortly after my interview with the marquis, and he disclaimed any knowledge of the letter addressed to the British embassador in Paris.
There can, however, be no question of its authenticity; and in view, therefore, of the attitude which the British government assumes, you will be careful not to adopt any line of action with reference to the audience question without farther instructions, unless all the representatives of all the treaty-powers unite in the course contemplated in your dispatch, No. 142, 25th March, and in my instruction, No. 115, of 21st December last.
I am, &c.,
- For enclosures see correspondence “France.”↩