Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, October 30,
1902.
No. 1135.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a
note from the foreign office communicating information of the withdrawal
of the Russian forces from that portion of the province of Shengking
lying southwest of the Liao River and the return to China of all the
railways therein, in accordance with the terms of the convention between
the Russian and Chinese Governments regarding the evacuation of
Manchuria.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Prince Chi’ng
to Mr. Conger.
F. O., No. 427.]
Prince of Ch’ing, president of the Board of foreign affairs, etc.,
sends this dispatch:
It appears from the records that the convention agreed upon between
China and Russia for the transfer of the “three eastern provinces”
provides that in six months after the signing of the convention all
Russian Government troops which were in occupation of the
southwestern section of the province of Shengking as far as the Liao
River should be withdrawn, and in connection therewith that all the
railways of the same district should be returned. By reckoning it
appeared that this first period for transfer would expire on the 8th
of the ninth moon of the present year,
[Page 283]
or, according to the Russian calendar, the
26th of the ninth month, 1902. Our board then agreed with the
Russian minister in Peking that we should memorialize, requesting
the appointment of officials to take delivery. Now we have received
telegraphic reports from the superintendent of trade for the north
and the military governor of Shengking, respectively, saying that
all the railways beyond the wall have already been returned and
acknowledging that all Russian military forces have withdrawn from
the section of the province lying southwest of the Liao River.
In this matter we are greatly indebted to your honorable country for
the deep interest it has taken in preserving the entente cordiale.
Now, China and Russia having both dealt with the matter of this
first transfer in accordance with the treaty, I, as in duty bound,
send this dispatch to your excellency for your information and hope
that you will transmit the information to your honorable
Government.
A necessary dispatch.
Kuanghsu twenty-eighth year, ninth moon,
27th day (October 28, 1902).
