Mr. Meyer to Mr.
Hay.
American Embassy,
Rome,
Italy, February 24,
1902.
No. 145.]
Sir: Referring to the Department’s No. 71,a of January 29 last,
relative to the note of the Chinese minister at Washington, dated
January 20, 1902, I beg leave now to inclose to you herewith a copy of a
note from the minister for foreign affairs replying to my note of
February 14, and stating that while the Government of the King does not
see, on principle, any difficulty in complying with the requesting of
Yuan Shih-kai, it withholds its definite reply until it can act in
accord with the other powers to which China may have made a similar
request.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Mr. Prinetti to
Mr. Meyer.
Mr. Ambassador: Replying to the note which
your excellency addressed to me on the 14th instant, I have the
honor to inform you that the Chinese minister to the royal court
also called upon me a few days ago expressing the wish of the
viceroy of Chihli, Yuan Shih-kai, that the temporary government
established at Tientsin by the powers be discontinued and that the
regular administration of the city be returned to the Chinese
authorities.
The Government of the King does not see, on principle, any objection
to complying with the request of Yuan Shih-kai; it has, however,
withheld its definite answer to the Chinese minister in order that
it may be possible to act jointly with the powers near which China
may have taken similar steps, and whose views I have already taken
pains to ask.
Pray accept, etc.,
