Memorandum communicated to the Chinese minister.
Washington, August 16, 1900.
Foreseeing that there would be insufficient time after receiving a reply to our memorandum of August 12 to get instructions to the relief column before it had reached Pekin, we sent on the same day to the general commanding the American forces in China the following dispatch:
Adjutant-General’s
Office,
Washington, August 12,
1900.
Fowler, Chefoo (for Chaffee):
Secretary War directs me to inform you that Li Hung Chang, appointed by Chinese Government to negotiate with powers, requests cessation of hostilities. We [Page 288] have replied that we are ready to enter into agreement between powers and Chinese Government for cessation of hostilities on condition that sufficient body of the forces composing the relief expedition shall be permitted to enter Pekin unmolested and to escort foreign ministers and residents back to Tientsin, the movement being provided for and secured by such arrangements and dispositions of troops as shall be considered satisfactory by generals commanding the forces composing relief expedition. We have communicated this to all the powers. Japanese Government takes same position. We have not heard from other powers.
Corbin.
And two days ago, in view of the rapid progress of the relief expedition, we sent the following:
Adjutant-General’s
Office,
Washington, August 14,
1900.
Fowler, Chefoo (for Chaffee):
August 14. In anticipation of acceptance by Chinese Government of condition in our reply to them cabled you August 12. If Chinese authorities communicate willingness to deliver ministers and persons under their protection to relief column at Pekin, under arrangements which you consider safe, you are authorized to make and carry out arrangement in concert with other commanders, without referring it here. From informal communications with representatives of other governments here, we believe all to take substantially same position. Question whether you should insist upon entering Pekin and going to legations or will receive delivery at gate of inner Tartar city, or at outer wall, taking risk of ministers passing through city with only Chinese escort, you and the other generals must determine.
By order Secretary of War.
Corbin.
We are advised by Minister Conger that the attacks by Imperial troops upon the legations in Pekin have not ceased. While these attacks continue we can not stop the advance of our forces toward Pekin. If such attacks cease the above-quoted instructions will be allowed to stand, and they would seem to provide for all the action required under the circumstances stated by Earl Li in his dispatch.
Acting Secretary.