Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger.
Washington, November 13, 1902.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 1100, of the 1st ultimo, inclosing a copy of a dispatch from the United States vice-consul at Niuchwang, in which he suggests that at least one non-Russian gunboat should winter at Niuchwang this year.
In reply I have to inform you that copies of your dispatch and its inclosure have been sent to the Secretary of the Navy for his information, with the statement that no urgent need of stationing a gunboat at Niuchwang during the winter is perceived by the Department, but that it might be desirable to have a vessel visit the port on the opening of navigation next spring, if evacuation should take place by April 1, as you indicate.
I am, sir, etc.,