Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
Peking, July 23, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to confirm your telegrams of the 13th and 14th instant, and mine of the 22d.
As soon as possible after the receipt of your instructions I arranged for an interview with Prince Ch’ing, he coming in from the Summer Palace on the 20th instant. I presented him with a copy of the Russian declaration, and insisted that now there could be no longer any reason why our demands should not be complied with, and that my Government could only consider further refusal on the part of the Chinese Government as an expression of its unwillingness to comply with our reasonable request, or a determination to indefinitely delay, etc.
He replied in substance that Russia had in no way intimated to them that the objections in which she had been so persistent were withdrawn or in any manner modified, and that he could only repeat what he had plainly said so many times before, that it was absolutely impossible for China to take any formal action whatever upon the question as long as Russia was in possession of Manchuria. China was extremely desirous to please the United States and disliked exceedingly to be compelled to refuse her request, but she dared not either [Page 69] agree by treaty to open the ports, or open them by edict, until the withdrawal of Russia, and he hoped the United States would appreciate China’s unfortunate position and believe in her sincerity. He said that China recognized the importance of opening the ports (excepting Harbin) named, and was herself ready and willing to open them; and he begged me to telegraph my Government that just as soon as the Russians withdrew an edict would be immediately published opening the ports.
After considerable discussion I told him that if he would put this promise in writing I would wire you. He strongly objected, but finally consented to do so if in his promise he might say “two of the ports mentioned” instead of actually writing the names of the ports, but that it should be clearly understood between us that Mukden and Ta-tungkou were the ports intended. As only these two ports and Harbin had been mentioned, I agreed to wire you the facts as soon as I received the written promise. It was handed me last night. I inclose a copy. It is not as clear and emphatic as it might be, but the best he could be induced to sign. I inclose copy of my reply.
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During the conference Prince Ch’ing also promised that if the question of opening ports could be left out of the treaty he would instruct the Chinese commissioners to at once send to Peking a copy of the several articles agreed upon for review only, but not for any material change or discussion; after which instructions would be immediately given to them to conclude and sign.
In previous conversations with the ministers of the foreign office they have acknowledged the fact that Peking is practically open to foreign residence and trade, but they say that the court could never formally consent by solemn treaty that jurisdiction of territory in their capital, and adjoining the imperial palaces themselves, should pass into the hands of foreign powers. Of course the legation quarter has already done so. I am quite confident, therefore, that it is useless to press for any treaty mention of Peking.
I have, etc.,