Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
Peking, August 25, 1903.
Sir: A British officer, just returned from the mouth of the Yalu River, reports most unfavorably as to the advisability of opening Ta-tung-kou as a treaty port, and says that An-tung Hsien, sometimes called Saho, some 30 miles farther inland, is much more suitable, having a greater depth of water and being nearer the crossing of the principal route from Manchuria into Korea.
Ta-tung-kou was selected from the best evidence then obtainable. (See my dispatch, No. 1252, of March 31, last.)
As it will be impossible to know the facts without an intelligent examination of both places, I have requested Admiral Evans to send one of his smaller vessels to the mouth of the Yalu and then, by steam launch or otherwise, make the necessary exploration and report.
I have, etc.,