Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a translation of a memorandum sent me from the foreign office this morning by Baron Richthofen, the acting assistant secretary of state for foreign affairs, and to append hereto a copy of my telegram,1 reciting the contents of the same assent you this afternoon, in regard to the proposed withdrawal of the international troops from Pekin.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

John B. Jackson.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Baron Richthofen to Mr. Jackson.

Memorandum.

The Imperial Government has received from the Imperial Russian Government a communication similar to that which was recited in the memorandum from the embassy of the United States of the 30th ultimo in regard to the withdrawal of the troops and the legations from Pekin.

Any course of action which appears conducive to the speedy and permanent restoration of order in the Chinese Empire, from whatever side it may be proposed, will be acquiesced in and supported by the Imperial Government. Nevertheless, the Imperial Government, for the present at least, entertains doubt as to whether the proposed withdrawal of the international troops from Pekin will actually have the anticipated and desired result. The Imperial Government is not without apprehension that an early evacuation of the Chinese capital would be construed by the Chinese as a sign of weakness, and consequently, instead of being conducive to tranquillity, might rather serve the purpose of increasing the courage of the parties hostile to foreigners and bringing about new atrocities as well as an extension of the anarchistic conditions. The Imperial Government has also difficulty in thinking it compatible with the defense by the powers of the cause of civilization and humanity in China to leave the defenseless Chinese Christians to the awful fate which undoubtedly awaits them in the case of the retiring of the international troops.

The Imperial Government, as it has repeatedly shown, considers that harmonious action of the powers with regard to the Chinese problem is of the greatest importance. It feels, however, in view of the German commercial and missionary interests in China, that it could only assume the responsibility for the results of a withdrawal of its troops from Pekin in case military reasons should make such a measure of imperative necessity.

On the other hand, the Imperial Government has no objection whatever to the personnel of the Imperial legation, as well as that of the other legations, leaving Pekin, as in the absence of any recognized Chinese Government there seems to be, under existing conditions, no field whatever for any further diplomatic activity there.

The Russian suggestion has been answered by the Imperial Government in the foregoing sense.

  1. Printed ante.↩