Lord Pauncefote
to Mr. Hay.
British Embassy,
Newport, R.
I.
,
August 5,
1900
.
Dear Mr. Hay: I inclose a copy of a
telegram received yesterday from Lord Salisbury recording the
statement of the policy of Her Majesty’s Government in China made in
the House of Commons on the 2d.
Mr. Choate has probably already informed you of the substance of it
by cable, but I thought you might like to receive this full text of
it from a more certain source than the press.
I am, etc.,
[Page 352]
[Inclosure.]
The following statement of policy in China was made on behalf of
Her Majesty’s Government in the House of Commons on August 2:
Great Britain will, in concert with other powers, press forward
by every means the relief of the legations at Pekin, and regards
it as imperative to impress upon China the sanctity of envoys
and the power of Europe to protect or avenge them. As regards
the Yangtse district and the adjacent region, assurances have
been given to the viceroys that the ships and forces of Great
Britain will cooperate as far as possible with them in quieting
unrest and securing order; and provision is being made for the
due fulfillment of this assurance. Her Majesty’s Government are
opposed to any partition of China, and believe that they are in
accord with other powers in this declaration. Her Majesty’s
Government hold that the future government of China, whether
directed from Pekin or decentralized, must be a government by
the Chinese, and they are not prepared to substitute for this a
European administration. Similarly they hold that in common
interest much caution should be observed in any scheme which may
be entertained for organizing Chinese troops under foreign
officers. Compensation must be made by China for the effects of
the existing disturbances.