Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1903

Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger.

Department of State,
Washington, October 9, 1903.

No. 718.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 1372, of August 21 last, inclosing a copy of a note received by the dean of the diplomatic corps from Prince Ch’ing, advising that thenceforth foreign merchants will not be permitted to buy property in Peking for dwellings or to establish places of business in that city.

The Department approves your course in not making any reply to the note at present, but leaving the matter open for such future discussion as events may require.

I am, etc.,

John Hay.