Memorandum handed to the Acting Secretary of State by the Chinese minister.

Cablegram from Earl Li Hung Chang, envoy plenipotentiary of China, dated August 15, and received by Minister Wu at 7 p.m. on the same day.

The allied forces are approaching Tung Chow. I have memorialized the Imperial Government to depute envoy to negotiate an armistice with the several commanders on the spot. I will also shortly proceed to Pekin. The powers, being fully aware of the embarrassing position in which Their Majesties the Empress Dowager and the Emperor are placed, are earnestly requested to telegraph instructions to their respective commanders after arriving at Tung Chow with their forces to stop their further advance to the capital, so as not to cause alarm and fear to Their Majesties and calamities to the people; for such advance would shake the foundations of the Ta Ching Empire and wound the feelings of all her people, high and low. For a compliance with this appeal the millions of people of the Empire will be profoundly grateful to the powers. Please communicate this cablegram at once to the Secretary of State.