Mr. Tower to Mr. Hay.

No. 547.]

Sir: In supplement to my dispatch, No. 543, of the 13th of March, in regard to the interruptions complained of in the telegraphic service at Niuchwang, I have the honor to inclose to you herewith copy of a note dated the 2d (15th) of March from Count Lamsdorff, Imperial Russian minister for foreign affairs, replying to the note upon that subject which I addressed to him, under instructions from you, on the 4th of March.a

Monsieur de Lamsdorff says that there has been but one instance since the 18th of last December when foreign telegrams were sent from Niuchwang by mail to Liaoian to be forwarded from there by telegraph. This was done, he adds, because the line was interrupted and the Russian authorities wished to expedite the messages.

The minister for foreign affairs assures me, however, that in consequence of my recent interview with him at which this subject was discussed, he has made further and renewed inquiries in regard to it, the result of which he will communicate to me.

I have, etc.,

Charlemagne Tower.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]

Count Lamsdorff to Mr. Tower.

Mr. Ambassador: In reply to your excellency’s note of the 19th of February (March 4) relating to irregularities in the telegraphic communication at Niuchwang, I have the honor to inform you from reports now in the possession of the ministry for foreign affairs that since the date at which the reception of international telegrams by the field-telegraph bureau at that place was authorized—that is to say, since the 18th of last December—there has been but one case in which nine international telegrams were sent by post to Liaoian to be forwarded from there by telegraph. These messages were thus sent by reason of a break in the telegraph line and because the Russian telegraph authorities wished to employ every means to forward messages without delay.

Nevertheless, in view of the facts presented by you, the ministry of foreign affairs has communicated again upon this subject with the proper authorities and will not fail to inform your excellency of their reply as soon as it shall have been received.

Please accept, etc.,

Count Lamsdorff.
  1. Printed, page 924.