Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1900

Mr. Adee to Mr. Herdliska.

[Circular telegram.]²

Department of State, August 12, 1900.

This morning the Chinese minister delivered to me text of the imperial edict, forwarded by privy council, Pekin, dated August 8, appointing Earl Li Hung Chang as envoy plenipotentiary on the part of China to conduct negotiations by telegraph with the Powers concerned for the cessation of hostile demonstrations pending negotiations through him for the settlement of whatever questions may have to be dealt with.

Late this afternoon the following memorandum was delivered to Minister Wu as the response of this Government to the foregoing communication:

The Government of the United States learns with satisfaction of the appointment of Earl Li Hung Chang as envoy plenipotentiary to conduct negotiations with the Powers, and will, on its part, enter upon such negotiations with a desire to continue the friendly relations so long existing between the two countries.

It is evident that there can be no general negotiation between China and the Powers so long as the ministers of the Powers and the persons under their protection remain in their present position of restraint and danger, and that the Powers can not cease their efforts for the delivery of these representatives, to which they are constrained by the highest considerations of national honor, except under an arrangement adequate to accomplish a peaceable deliverance.

We are ready to enter into an agreement between the Powers and the Chinese Government for a cessation of hostile demonstrations, on condition that a sufficient body of the forces composing the relief expedition shall be permitted to enter Pekin unmolested and to escort the foreign ministers and residents back to Tientsin; this movement being provided for and secured by such arrangements and dispositions of troops as shall be considered satisfactory by the generals commanding the forces composing the relief expedition.

You will communicate the foregoing to the minister for foreign affairs.

Adee, Acting.

2. Also sent to the United States representatives at Berlin, London, Paris, Rome, St, Petersburg, and Tokio.