Memorandum of an interview between Mr. Wharton and Mr. Tsui.

The Chinese minister informed me to-day that he had received a telegram Saturday from the tsung-li yamên to the effect that the riots had almost ceased in China. He stated also that he was very glad to be able to say that no American, so far, has been injured. He further said that his Government had expressed some feeling that the United States should consider it necessary to send a fleet of vessels to Chinese waters, as his Government had heard was the intention of the President.

I assured the minister that it was not the intention of the President to send a fleet. He only intended to send three vessels at the present time.

The minister asked whether the vessels were sent to protect the interests of the missionaries especially, or to look after the interests of the United States generally. I informed him that vessels were sent to look after the interests of all United States citizens in China.

William F. Wharton,
Acting Secretary.