Mr. Choate to Mr. Hay.

No. 420.]

Sir: With reference to your unnumbered instruction of the 22d ultimo,1 and to previous correspondence, with regard to the answer of the United States to the French proposal respecting China, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a note from Lord Salisbury, dated the 27th ultimo, together with a copy of a memorandum of the communications which have taken place between Lord Salisbury and the French ambassador here on the same subject.

I have the honor to be, etc.,

Joseph H. Choate.
[Inclosure.]

Lord Salisbury to Mr. Choate.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 24th instant, and to express to you my thanks for the information given therein with regard to the answer returned by the Government of the United States to the French proposal respecting China.

I have the honor to inclose, for your excellency’s information, a memorandum of the communications which have taken place between the French ambassador and myself on the same subject.

I have the honor to be, etc.,

Salisbury.
[Subinclosure 1.]

Memorandum.

Lord Salisbury suggested that, as regards point 4 of the French proposals, it would be well to avoid words which might seem to impose upon each power the obligation of maintaining a guard. In some cases the obligation might be onerous and the guard scarcely necessary.

As regards point 6 it was pointed out that M. Delcasse appeared to suggest a chain of posts along the road from Pekin to the sea, whereas Lord Salisbury’s idea had been that each power should occupy a fortified post within easy reach of the capital and the sea, to be used as occasion might require.

M. Delcassé thereupon suggested that, in order to obviate further delay, Her Majesty’s Government should accept the last wording of the six points provisionally and subject to further discussion between the powers and their representatives at Pekin. In the course of these discussions M. Delcassé undertakes to accept and support an amended wording of point 6 to the following effect:

“The right for each power to occupy and fortify a point accessible to the sea where the legations can in case of need find refuge.”

Lord Salisbury stated he had no objection in letting Sir C. MacDonald know that he had provisionally accepted the six points as worded in M. Delcassé’s last proposal, subject to the condition that in the course of the further discussions it should be proposed that point 6 should be worded in the form given above, to which M. Delcassé had promised his support.

It is understood that M. Delcassé has now informed the other governments of the new wording, and Her Majesty’s minister at Pekin has been instructed to concert with his colleagues for the presentation of notes on that basis, but, to telegraph any additions or alterations that meet with general concurrence before presenting his note.

  1. Circular instruction, printed ante, p. 307.