Foreign Relations of the United States, 1901, Appendix, Affairs in China, Report of William W. Rockhill, Late Commissioner to China, with Accompanying Documents

Mr. Hay to Mr. Rockhill.

[Telegram.]

Washington, April 8, 1901.

The President is anxious lest the aggregate of the claims of the different powers should exceed the ability of China to pay. You are therefore instructed once more to urge upon your colleagues the desirability of agreeing upon a lump sum not to exceed £40,000,000, to be distributed equitably among the powers, and if the agreement is impossible resort to Hague arbitration. This sum to be paid in money and not in territory. This Government is ready to scale its demand in any just proportion which may be accepted by other powers.

Hay.