Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger.
(Mr. Hay states that the President is most solicitous that the present negotiations shall not fail, either through the presentation ol demands with which it may be impossible for China to comply, or by reason of a lack of harmonious cooperation among the powers. The President, confiding in Mr. Conger’s experience and wisdom, has left him large discretion as to details, and prefers still to follow that course. The President desires Mr. Conger, however, to consult with his colleagues and to seriously consider whether the presentation of a list of high Chinese officials and the demand for their capital punishment, as an ultimatum, may not result in a failure of negotiations through confession by China of inability to carry out the death sentences. The United States Government, in common with the other powers, desires and must exact the severe and exemplary punishment of cnose high officials whose crimes have shocked the civilized world, but the President thinks it would be most unfortunate if the powers, having presented an ultimatum to which China may possibly not be able to give effect, should be compelled either to withdraw their demands or to enforce them by a course of action which all deprecate and which would entail consequences impossible to foresee.
Mr. Hay further states that similar considerations apply to the question as to the amount of indemnity to be demanded. The President favors the exaction of a lump sum not beyond the limit of China to pay, to be hereafter equitably distributed among the interested powers. He directs Mr. Hay to repeat to Mr. Conger the instructions heretofore frequently given, that, in view of the serious complications which may result from long delay, Mr. Conger use every endeavor to bring the negotiations to a speedy and satisfactory close.)