Telegram received from Viscount Aoki August 11, 1900.
[Left by the Japanese minister with the Acting Secretary of State.]
Received telegram from Li Hung Chang dated Shanghai, August 9, and handed to me by the Chinese minister to-day (August 10). Li informs me that on August 7 imperial decree was issued in which present trouble is partly attributed to misapprehension on the part of foreign powers and partly to misdeeds of local authorities of China, and by which Li is appointed envoy plenipotentiary to negotiate armistice and peace. Li requests Chinese minister to approach me for securing armistice in order to have way open for negotiations of peace.
You will ascertain the attitude of United States Government on the matter, as they have no doubt received the same request from Li.