Memorandum.
Washington, October 22, 1900.
So far as the action of the Government of the United States is concerned, the suggestion of the Japanese Government has been virtually anticipated by referring to Minister Conger the recent proposals of the French Government and instructing him to confer with his colleagues with a view to presenting forthwith to the Chinese plenipotentiaries the bases upon which we are all agreed, without prejudice to the later inclusion of the points reserved by the United States and other powers subject to discussion in the course of the negotiations.
The Government of the United States thinks that the knowledge and experience gained by the several foreign ministers on the spot will be practically helpful toward an agreement upon the essential points which may hopefully be adopted by the powers as the bases of formal negotiations, and we would welcome any action by them tending to an early accord whereby such negotiations may be opened without delay.