Copy of telegram to Mr. Nabeshima from Viscount Aoki.

[Presented at the State Department by the Japanese minister July 6, 1900.]

In view of the critical state of affairs in North China, which is doubtless well known to the United States Government, the Imperial Government are convinced that the present trouble is much more deeply rooted and far-reaching than might appear at first sight. While, therefore, the Imperial Government are perfectly prepared to take their full share in the concert of the powers, and have indeed decided to dispatch at once further reenforcements in order to meet the emergency, yet, considering the absolute necessity of the dispatch of far larger forces than those already landed or on their way to China for an advance on Pekin, or even for the efficient holding of the bases at Tientsin and Taku, and also having in view the almost insurmountable difficulties offered by nature and climate at certain seasons of the year, the Imperial Government deem it highly advisable that the powers concerned should, at this juncture, exchange their views on the measures that they should take in common to avert the impending danger and to meet all future eventualities.

You will, therefore, ascertain the views of the United States Government on the matter.