Mr. Hay to Mr. Tower.
Washington, February 6, 1902.
Sir: I send for your information copy of a communication addressed by the United States consul at Niuchwang to minister Conger at Pekin.
While this dispatch throws light upon the causes of the friction which has to some extent lately existed between the consular and naval representatives of the United States and the Russian authorities, the only part to which I desire to draw your attention, with a view to making appropriate representations to the Government of Russia, is in relation to the closing of telegraphic communication except by the Russian line through Manchuria and Russia and the interruptions of the mail service between Niuchwang and China.
It is presumed that the interruption of the mail to which Mr. Miller refers had been in some manner remedied and that he was able to communicate by that channel with his superior officer at Pekin, inasmuch as his letter is addressed to Mr. Conger. Telegraphic communication, however, appeared to have been still interrupted as lately as the 27th of December, on which date Mr. Miller writes that he and the commanding officer of the Vicksburg were cut off from telegraphic communication, and he adds that “postal connection is slow and bad.”
It is quite inconceivable that the Imperial Government should adopt any policy by which the regularly commissioned and accredited consular representative of the United States should be precluded from means of direct and immediate communication with his superior officer at Pekin or with his directing consular superior at Shanghai.
It may be that some roundabout channel of intercourse is open, as from some Russian station connecting by other routes with the cables to Shanghai and the lines to Pekin. If so, it would be desirable to know what the existing facilities are to take the place of those which have been cut off by the closing of the Chinese Eastern Railroad telegraph station at Niuchwang.
You will make this instruction the subject of inquiry and if the facts elicited thereby warrant it, in your discretion, remonstrance against any limitation of the facilities for communication between the minister at Pekin and the consul at Niuchwang, or which may be calculated to interpose delay in the communication of the commanding officer of the Vicksburg with the Navy Department.
You will also inquire the nature and expeditiousness of the present postal service between Niuchwang and the outside world.
I am, etc.,