Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger.
Washington, May 29, 1903.
(Mr. Hay acknowledges Mr. Conger’s telegram of the 28th instant, and instructs him to reply to the Chinese note saying that in view of China’s well asserted right to open new localities to foreign trade when and where she sees fit, this Government can not for a moment admit that its most reasonable request, alike beneficial to both countries and to the commerce of the world, should be brushed aside in the manner the note suggests; that China is as well aware as this county that commercial conditions in Manchuria demand the opening of new ports, and that if China will not provide for such opening in treaty and insists on doing it proprio motu, let imperial edict be issued at once doing so.
Mr. Conger is directed to impress upon the Chinese Government the painful surprise its unwillingness to comply with our request has created in the United States.)