Mr. Denby to Mr. Sherman.

No. 2924.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a translation of a communication from the Tsung-li Yamên wherein the princes and ministers inform me that China has declared her neutrality in the existing war between Spain and the United States.

I have, etc,

Charles Denby.

The Tsung-li Yamên to Mr. Denby.

Your Excellency: The princes and ministers have had the honor to receive a communication from the minister of the United States, stating that the Congress of the United States passed on the 20th of April a joint resolution directing intervention for the pacification and independence of Cuba. The Government of Spain on the 21st instant informed the minister of the United States at Madrid that it considered this resolution equivalent to a declaration of war, and that it had accordingly withdrawn its minister from Washington and terminated all diplomatic relations with the United States.

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The Congress of the United States thereupon, by an act approved the 26th of April, declared that a state of war exists between the two countries since and including the 21st of April.

The minister of the United States is directed by his Government to give this information to the princes and ministers, so that the neutrality of the Empire of China may be assured in the existing war.

In reply, the princes and ministers have to observe that the Government of China will duly maintain the laws of neutrality. The Yamên have therefore telegraphed the viceroys, governors, and tartar-generals of the yangtze and maritime provinces to issue instructions to their subordinates that they are to observe the laws of neutrality. Further, instructions have been issued to the high authorities of all the provinces and to the inspector-general of customs to issue proclamations for general information.

The princes and ministers have the honor to send this reply for the information of the minister of the United States.