Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger.
(Mr. Hay, replying to Mr. Conger’s telegram of the 1st instant, states that the seven proposed conditions are approved by the President, who thinks dismantling Taku forts would be preferable to their destruction, and suggests consultation on this point with military commander.
Replying to Mr. Conger’s telegram of the 6th instant, Mr. Hay states that the first and second conditions, especially the second, appear to be practical safeguards for the future. If the powers can not agree on the first condition, this Government would reserve the right to negotiate in that sense with China, independently but coin-cidentally with the powers entertaining the same view. The third condition would appear to devolve responsibility too completely on the local authorities. The President is of the opinion that the primary responsibility of the Chinese Government should be emphasized, the suggested accountability and provisions for punishment of delinquent local authorities being merely one phase of the enforcement of the supreme obligation to repress, punish, and make adequate reparation for treaty infractions. The President regards as of greatest importance prompt agreement upon bases of settlement, and would regret if divergence upon essential points should necessitate separate convention with powers agreeing upon such points, as is intimated by Mr. Conger.
The moral effect of unanimous concert can hardly be overestimated.)