Embassy of the United States,
Berlin, September 4, 1900.
[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.
Berlin, September 4,
1900.