Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1903

Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States,
Peking , April 29, 1903 .

No. 1283.]

Sir: I confirm my telegram of the 23d, and your reply of the 25th instant.

On yesterday I had a conference with Prince Ch’ing, at which, besides handing him the note, a copy of which I inclose, I told him that China had, as a part of the general settlement growing out of the troubles of 1900, made an agreement with Russia concerning Manchuria, in which the other powers were more or less interested, and it was the duty of the Chinese Government to see to it that that agreement was executed by both Russia and China in a way which would not jeopardize or destroy the vested rights of the other powers, and that whatever might be the demands of Russia, the Government of the United States would expect that all its rights be respected.

Prince Ch’ing then informed me that he had replied to the Russian demands, refusing compliance with every one. He said he presumed that Russia would now decline to withdraw her troops, but that the Chinese Government would still refuse compliance, and trust to future negotiations and possibly the good offices of friendty powers to help them out of the difficulty.

He verified in substance the demands as I wired them to you, and added that Russia demanded, besides an agreement, that no land should be purchased or leased in Manchuria, particularly in the vicinity of Niuchwang, and in the valley of the Liao River, by any foreigners except Russians.

He said the condition as to present status of administration mentioned in my telegram referred to Mongolia, where the Chinese had in view several reforms which were intended to materially strengthen and centralize the system of public administration, and this the Russians do not want.

The British chargé d’affaires has, by instruction of his Government, served a notice upon the Chinese Government warning it of the danger of accepting the Russian demands.

The Japanese minister has served both a note of warning and a protest.

* * * * * * *

I have, etc.,

E. H. Conger.

[Inclosure.]

Mr. Conger to Prince Ch’ing

Legation of the United States,
Peking , April 27, 1903.

F. O., No. 490.]

Your Highness: I have the honor to inform your highness that it has been reported to the United States Government that the Russian Government is demanding new and additional conditions for the further evacuation of Manchuria, as follows:

“No new treaty ports or consuls allowed; no foreigners, except Russians, to be employed in the public service; status of administration same as before; Niuchwang customs receipts to be deposited in Russian-Chinese Bank; sanitary commission dominated by Russians; privilege of attaching wires to all telegraph poles; no territory ever to be alienated to any power;” and that the same are at present under consideration by the Chinese Government.

In view of this my Government has instructed me to insist upon the opening of the treaty ports which have already been requested by the commissioners of the United States in the treaty negotiations now being carried on at Shanghai, and the appointment of consuls thereto after they have been opened.

It has also instructed me to make known to your highness its serious and valid objections to the exclusion of citizens of the United States from employment in any Chinese service to which Russians or other nationals are of right admitted, and to say that it reserves all its rights as to any other points which may be considered in the reported negotiations.

Trusting that your highness will appreciate the importance of these suggestions by my Government, and will preserve for China the freedom which they indicate,

I improve, etc.,

E. H. Conger.