Mr. McCormick to
Mr. Hay.
American Embassy,
St.
Petersburg, February 4,
1903.
No. 6.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a
copy and a translation of a note received from the minister for foreign
affairs relative to the establishment of foreign consuls at Dalny.
I have the honor, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Count Lamsdorff
to Mr. McCormick.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs,
First
Department,
January 17/30,
1903.
No. 321.]
Mr. Ambassador:
In proceeding to the administrative organization of the territory of
Quantoun ceded in usufruct by China to Russia (cédé en usufruit par la Chine à la Russie), the Imperial
Government has been considering the question of the establishment of
foreign consuls at Dalny (Talienwan).
The Imperial Government has decided to admit the presence of consular
representatives of the powers in the said town on the following
conditions: The exequatur required as a condition precedent to entry
upon official duties by such representatives is to be asked for, in
the usual way, through the channel of the ministry for foreign
affairs at St. Petersburg. The sphere of official activity of these
representatives covers all the territory of Quantoun, with the
exception of Port Arthur and the other fortified places which will
be indicated by the local military authorities. Inasmuch as Russian
legislation is in force in the above-mentioned territory and Russian
courts are sitting, foreign consuls at Dalny will enjoy only such
rights and prerogatives as are accorded to them throughout the
Russian Empire. In order to insure good administering of official
business these consuls will treat directly with the administrative
authorities of the territory on all questions within their
jurisdiction. No consular representative of the powers other than
the one established at Dalny will be recognized as competent to take
charge of his country’s interests in the above-mentioned
territory.
Please accept, etc.,