Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, July 19,
1902.
No. 1051.]
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my
telegrama of the
18th instant, announcing the agreement to return to the Chinese
authorities the city of Tientsin, and your congratulatory messagea to me of the same
date.
For the latter I thank you sincerely. It is, however, well known here by
the representatives of the powers, and by the Chinese Government, that
it is solely to your successful efforts with the Governments at London,
Berlin, and Paris, that the severe conditions were modified and the
early surrender of the city made possible. The Chinese are very grateful
for your help in this connection, and bid me so inform you.
I inclose herewith copies of note from Prince Ch’ing, informing me [Page 201] that the modified conditions
have been accepted, and my reply thereto. Copy of the conditions were
sent you in my dispatch, No. 1046, of the 15th instant.
I have etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Prince Chi’ng
to Mr. Conger.
F. O., No. 396.]
On the 10th of the sixth moon, twenty-eighth year of Kuang-hsu (July
14, 1902), I received a dispatch from certain ministers of the
treaty powers, stating that in regard to the transfer of the city of
Tientsin and the country adjacent to the jurisdiction of the viceroy
of Chihli, these foreign ministers were agreed (of the same
opinion). They also had had the honor of receiving the sanction of
their respective governments for the abrogation of the provisional
government, provided only that the Chinese Government should, first
of all, distinctly consent to the conditions proposed, when they, on
their part, would promise that in four weeks from the day on which
consent was given, the provisional government of Tientsin should be
abrogated. They therefore request that it be clearly pointed out to
whom, when the time arrives, and into whose hands the provisional
government should transfer Tientsin city and the country
adjacent.
I have carefully perused the dispatch with regard to the point that
military posts should be established along the highway or line of
communication from Pekin to the sea, with powers to control and
punish, the distance to extend as far as two English miles on each
side of the railroad.
I would remark that according to the doyen, His Excellency Cologan’s
dispatch of the sixth moon, twenty-seventh year of Kuang-hsu (July,
1901), military control would only refer to offenses against the
railroad, the telegraph lines, or against the allies or their
property.
As to the remaining articles I have no objection to make.
On the 13th of the current moon (July 17) I memorialized the Throne
on the subject and had the honor of receiving the sanction of the
Throne by imperial decree.
Whereupon, I at once sent replies to the ministers of the treaty
powers, in order that they might transmit the same to the
provisional government of Tientsin, that the provisional government
be abolished within four weeks, and the city of Tientsin and its
adjacent country be returned to Chinese administration and handed
over to the superintendent of the northern ports, who, at the head
of the local officials, civil and military, will be there to receive
it.
Hereafter, whenever there is need for consultation, the foreign civil
and military authorities can, from time to time, consult with his
excellency the superintendent of northern ports, which, I hope, will
be for the good of the place.
I sincerely appreciate and can not but express my gratitude to your
excellency for the just and friendly way in which you have helped us
to obtain the confidence of other nationalities in this matter.
As in duty bound I send this for your excellency’s information.
A necessary dispatch.
Dated 14th of the sixth moon, twenty-eighth year
of Kuang-hsu (July 18, 1902).
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Conger to
Prince Chi’ng.
F. O., No. 407.]
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Highness’s note
of July 18, informing me that the ministers having representatives
on the provisional government of Tientsin had proposed to return the
city to the Chinese authorities in one month upon conditions which
the Chinese Government had accepted.
I congratulate Your Highness upon the happy termination of this
matter, and am pleased that the efforts of the-honorable Secretary
of State of the United States with the European Governments have
contributed so materially to bringing it about.
I beg to avail, etc.,
