Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
Peking, March 15, 1902.
Sir: Continuing the subject-matter of my No. 932, of the 4th instant, I have the honor to inform you that the Russian minister, in response to Prince Ch’ing’s proposal, has signified his willingness to make the terms for evacuation eighteen months, instead of three years, as the Russians had formerly proposed, or twelve months, which Prince Ch’ing had named. The probability is that a compromise will be made on fifteen months.
The British minister is still urging upon the Prince some minor changes, but I am quite certain that if the Russian minister consents to Prince Ch’ing’s proposal, copy of which I sent you in my No. 932, the British minister, while not consenting, yet will not object to such a conclusion of the matter.
I have, etc.,