Mr. Jackson to the Secretary of State.
(Mr. Jackson reports the substance of the German answer to the Russian proposal with regard to withdrawing international troops Pekin, which the foreign office has communicated to him, as follows:)
The Imperial Government will support any course of action which appears conducive to the speedy and permanent restoration of order in the Chinese Empire. Nevertheless, doubt is entertained by the Imperial Government’ as to whether, for the present at least, withdrawing the international troops from Pekin will actually have the anticipated and desired result. As repeatedly shown the Imperial Government considers harmonious action by the powers with regard to the Chinese problem as of the very greatest importance. But the Imperial Government is not without apprehension that an early evacuation of the Chinese capital would be construed by [Page 335] the Chinese as a sign of weakness and consequently new atrocities be brought about thereby. Moreover the Imperial Government hardly thinks it compatible with the defense by the powers of the cause of civilization to leave the Chinese Christians to the awful fate which undoubtedly awaits them in case the international troops are withdrawn. In view of the German commercial and missionary interests the Imperial Government would only feel at liberty to assume responsibility for a result of a withdrawal of its troops from Pekin in case for military reasons such a measure should be of imperative necessity. The Imperial Government has, however, no objection to the legations leaving Pekin.