No. 236.
Mr. Bancroft to Mr. Fish.
Sir: I have this day received your telegram of November 1, which runs as follows:
It appears to the President that the hostilities between France and Germany, if conducted in Chinese waters, will operate in the minds of the Chinese to put in peril the lives of Europeans and Americans in that empire. You are instructed to sound the government; of North Germany to ascertain whether it is possible to obtain suspension of hostilities or a coöperative action between the squadrons in the Chinese waters so far as the protection of the lives and property of Americans and Europeans may require. In case the answer is favorable, you will ask leave to communicate their action to Washburne, and will send him a copy of this telegram, which he will take as his authority to ask for a like action on the part of French government.
This Government most fully adopts the line of policy marked out by you, and I shall, therefore, make to Mr. Washburne the communication which you direct.