[Untitled]
Washington, August 21, 1900.
Memorandum, touching a cablegram from the Viceroys Li Kun Yi and Chang Chih Tung, dated 17th, transmitted by the Chinese minister at London, received by Minister Wu on August 20, 1900, and by him communicated to the Department of State August 21, 1900.
On the 17th instant the Department received from Consul-General Goodnow a telegram communicating a message received by him on that day from the Nankin viceroys asking that the foreign consuls convey to the commander of the cooperating relief forces, then reported to be approaching Pekin, a request to regard the persons of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and not cause them alarm.
The next day Mr. Goodnow reported that the viceroys had telegraphed that they were satisfied with the position of the cooperating governments in regard to the Empress and Emperor.
Mr. Goodnow was directed, by a telegram sent August 19, to assure the Nankin viceroys that the announced policy of this Government rests on consideration for the Chinese people not implicated in the [Page 290] antiforeign outrages, and will duly regard the high personalities of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
The first part of the telegram from the Nankin viceroys to Mr. Wu, has, therefore, been already answered.
As to the second part, the Government of the United States is gratified at the guaranties given by the viceroys of continued protection and maintenance of order in eastern and southern China.
Acting Secretary.