Mr. Wu Ting Fang to Mr. Sherman.

Sir: I have the honor to express the sincere sympathy of my Government with the Government and people of the United States on account of the deplorable disaster which has befallen the Maine. I may add that I was shocked to hear of the terrible catastrophe, and I deeply sympathize with the families of the unfortunate victims.

Accept, sir, etc.,

Wu Ting Fang.