Mr. Hay to Count Cassini.
Washington, December 30, 1901.
Dear Count Cassini: I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 28th instant in relation to the course of our consul at Niuchwang, and, appreciating the kindly spirit of friendship and the desire to continue and fortify the good understanding between our two countries which it discloses, I hasten to reply in the same vein.
For our part, we have received from the consul at Niuchwang complaints of his treatment by the Russian authorities there and the difficulties he has at times found in following the general and special instructions of the Department which are applicable for the guidance of all United States consuls abroad, and are in no sense especial to that particular post. I have not, however, thought it expedient to bring these matters to the attention of your Government, either through you or through instructions to the United States ambassador at St. Petersburg. I have constantly had in mind the somewhat abnormal character of the state of things at Niuchwang, and have been disposed to make every allowance for the difficulties and embarrassments which must naturally attend the merely provisional administration of the Russian military and civil agents, during the temporary occupation of that port and its vicinity, in their efforts to maintain the order and tranquillity for which they are responsible until the proximate withdrawal of Russian control shall restore the normal conditions.
It is, nevertheless, painful to me to learn from your communication that the embarrassments of this provisional order of things have their reciprocal effect, as is perhaps natural, and that the Russian agents at Niuchwang have on their side ground to complain of the course of the United States consul in the exercise of powers and the discharge of functions common to all United States consuls. I can readily understand that our consul’s discretion may at times be at fault in applying to the peculiar situation which surrounds him the general rules of consular intercourse, and that he may not fully comprehend the degree of latitude he may use in modifying those ordinary rules to fit the special case which confronts him. That errors of judgment in this regard can in any way suggest a less friendly disposition of this Government toward that of Russia is an inadmissible proposition. You are right in assuming that the course of which you complain is not directed by this Department. It certainly does not reflect any sentiment here entertained. On the contrary, it is our desire to carry out the policy of which we have conspicuously given proof, to leave Russia unembarrassed in the provisional execution of a purpose forced upon her by the troubles in China, which equally affected other nations, and to regard the temporary occupation of Niuchwang as a measure contributory to the end we all sought of restoring order and good government in China and securing to the interested powers equal safeguards, opportunities, and rights in their intercourse with the Empire.
In order to give the desires of this Government full effect, I shall instruct the consul at Niuchwang to use due circumspection in his official acts, to bear in mind the difficulties that naturally environ the situation, and to use every endeavor to adapt himself to circumstances and avoid all occasion of friction with the agents of Russia with whom he is called to deal in the discharge of his official duties. I do not doubt [Page 918] that similar motives will inspire the course of the Russian officials, and that in this way mutual expression will be given to the friendly desires of both Governments.
I am, etc.,