Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation,
Peking,
China, May 16,
1904.
No. 1608.]
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of
the 14th instant.
I inclose copy of a note received from the foreign office on the same
subject, and my reply thereto.
This note is evidently the result of the Japanese minister’s interview
and of the representations made by the other foreign ministers,
including myself, information of which has already been communicated to
you.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
The Foreign Office to
Mr. Conger.
Japan and Russia being engaged in war, this board received on the
12th day of February an imperial edict to the effect that China
would observe a
[Page 134]
strict
neutrality, and a dispatch was sent to the various ministers for
transmission to their respective governments, in which China’s
position was clearly set forth. Moreover, a set of regulations was
sent to each of the different provinces, which regulations all were
instructed to obey. This is all a matter of record. After making
this proclamation China maintained a strict neutrality, and did not
change her attitude in the slightest particular in anything that she
did. She acted in accordance with the laws of neutrality, and
favored neither one side nor the other at all. What is more, this
board repeatedly sent telegraphic instructions to the various Tartar
generals and governor-generals to the effect that the military and
civil officers under their control must earnestly protect foreign
commercial and missionary interests, and take strict and secret
protectionary measures, in the hope that the attitude of the people
will continue the same as in time of peace.
Since China has put herself out to such an extent to guarantee her
neutrality, the governments of the various other nations ought
certainly to have confidence in her sincerity. But owing to the fact
that various newspapers have recently published such alarming and
erroneous reports touching this important matter, this board has now
prepared this additional declaration in clear language, stating that
China is maintaining a strict neutrality; that from first to last
she has been firm in her original idea; that her purpose is in
accord with what your excellency’s Government, so solicitous in our
behalf, would have it be.
This communication is sent in the hope that your excellency will take
note of the matter, and transmit the information to the Department
of State.
A necessary dispatch.
Thirtieth year of Kuanghsii, third moon,
29th day.
(May 14, 1904.)
[
seal.]
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Conger to
Prince Ch’ing.
American Legation,
Peking, May 16,
1904.
Your Imperial Highness: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your imperial highness’ dispatch of the
14th instant saying that China has taken great pains to insure the
absolute neutrality of her Government during the war between Japan
and Russia, and that other governments ought to have confidence in
her sincerity; but that, owing to the fact that various newspapers
have recently published such alarming and erroneous reports touching
this important matter, your board had prepared and sent the dispatch
mentioned to make a further declaration in plain language that China
was maintaining a strict neutrality; that from first to last she had
been firm in her original purpose, in thorough accord with the
oft-expressed desire of the United States.
In reply I have the honor to say that this additional assurance of
your imperial highness is most gratifying and will give great
pleasure to my Government, to whom I have already communicated
it.
I avail, etc.,
