Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay.
Berlin, August 18, 1900.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you of the receipt to-day of a communication, dated August 17, stating that “the foreign office has given the Imperial [Chinese] legation here the following communication in reply to the several communications which have been submitted by it.” The communication referred to is also dated the 17th instant, and reads (translated) as follows:
The Imperial Government, as already known, considers it the most immediate and peremptory duty of the Imperial Chinese Government to release the foreigners besieged in Pekin without delay. Until this obligation is complied with the Imperial Government does not feel able to enter upon negotiations of any kind with the Chinese Government or with any representative of the same. The rescue of the besieged has been confided to the allied troops now marching on Pekin. The commanders of these troops have been authorized to adopt measures appropriate to this end. Consequently negotiations in regard to the rescue, and especially as to whether or not and under what conditions it may be found necessary for the allied troops to enter Pekin, can only be conducted with the commanders of the allied troops.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
Chargé d’Affaires.