American Legation,
Peking,
China, August 30,
1904.
No. 1695.]
[Inclosure.]
Prince Ch’ing
to Mr. Conger.
On the 13th day of the 7th moon, (August 23, 1904), I received a
dispatch from your excellency saying that your excellency had
received a cablegram from the (American) Department of State,
stating that Russian warships were in Shanghai harbor in close
proximity to the premises of the Standard Oil Company, and that in
the event of hostilities there was grave danger to their oil
warehouses, as well as to property belonging to merchants of other
nationalities, and asking what rules of neutrality would be enforced
in this case, as in the event of injury to American interests and
property those answerable for damages will be held strictly
responsible.
Upon inquiry it appears that when the Russian war ships escaped from
Port Arthur and entered Shanghai harbor this board at once sent a
dispatch to the Russian minister resident at this capital, asking
him to in turn inform the commanders of the said vessels that they
must quickly execute the necessary repairs and within a prescribed
period (specified) leave the harbor or at once have the munitions of
war and machinery removed in accordance with the principles of
international law and regulations of neutrality.
We have now received a telegram from the Shanghai Taot’ai, saying
that the commanders of the Russian vessels have agreed to lower
their flags at 7 p.m. on August 25, which is to be considered as
equivalent to disarmament. The soldiers will be withdrawn and the
sailors will be sent home, in accordance with the precedent
established in the case of the Mandjur.
This board at once telegraphed to the said taot’ai to see that this
is carried out as stated. There will be no damage to the property of
the Standard Oil Company or other foreign interests there.
As in duty bound, this board at once communicates this to your
excellency for transmittal to the State Department.
Kuang-hsü, 30th year, 7th moon, 17th sun
(27th August, 1904).
(Note.—For further
correspondence relating to the Chefoo and Shanghai incidents, see
under Japan, p. —.)
