Mr. Hay to Mr. Riddle.
Washington, June 13, 1903.
(Mr. Hay states that the treaty negotiations between the United States and China are substantially terminated, with the exception of the question of localities to be opened to trade in Manchuria; that the Chinese Government still claims that it is prevented from agreeing to this by Russian opposition, although the United States minister at Peking informed the Chinese Government that this is untrue, and has asked the Russian minister at Peking to confirm to the Chinese foreign office Russia’s desire that the demand of the United States be complied with.
Mr. McCormick is directed to ascertain from the Russian minister for foreign affairs if the Russian minister at Peking has been instructed in line with the above, and if not, Mr. McCormick is to urge prompt action in the desired direction.)