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  3. Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1902
  4. Document 195

Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay .

Legation of the United States,
Peking , June 2, 1902 .
No. 1007.]

Sir: I have the honor to confirm your telegrama of the 24th ultimo and to say that the Chinese Government has granted permission to the [Page 235] United States consular officers in China to use their good offices in representation of Cuba and its interests until Cuban consuls shall have been appointed.

I inclose copies of correspondence with the foreign office and notice to our consular officers.

I have, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure 1.]

Mr. Conger to Prince Chi’ng .

Legation of the United States,
Peking , May 26, 1902 .
F. O., No. 387.]

Your Highness: I have the honor to inform Your Highness that, at the request of the President of the Cuban Republic, my Government has instructed me to respectfully ask the Chinese Government if it will not permit the United States consular officers in China to use their good offices in the representation of the interests of Cuba and her citizens until such time as Cuban consuls shall have been appointed to reside in the Empire.

Trusting that I may have the early pleasure of informing my Government that the requested permission is granted, I improve the occasion to reassure Your Highness, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure 2.]

Prince Chi’ng to Mr. Conger .

F. O., No. 371.]

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your excellency’s dispatch with reference to the request of the President of the Cuban Republic, and that your Government has instructed your excellency to respectfully ask the Chinese Government if it will not permit the United States consular officers in China to use their good offices in the representation of the interests of Cuba and its citizens until such time as Cuban consuls shall have been appointed to reside in the Empire.

Your excellency hoped to have the early pleasure of informing your Government that the requested permission is granted.

China has hitherto had a consul-general in Cuba, and the fact that the treaty powers have recognized Cuba’s independence, makes it proper that the consul-general appointed by the Chinese Government to Cuba continue to reside there as of old.

As to the request by your excellency that the United States consular officers in China should represent the interests of Cuba, this, for the time being, is granted as a matter of course and to manifest our friendly feelings.

As in duty bound, I send this reply, that your excellency may convey the same to your Government.

A necessary dispatch.

Dated, 23d of the fourth moon (May 30, 1902).
[Inclosure 3.]

Mr. Conger to United States consular officers in China .

Legation of the United States,
Peking , May 31, 1902 .

Gentlemen: By direction of the honorable Secretary of State and permission of the Chinese Government, you are instructed to use your good offices, whenever necessary, in representation of the interests of Cuba and its citizens within your respective jurisdiction until such time as Cuban consuls shall have been appointed.

Very respectfully, yours,

E. H. Conger.
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