Mr. Hay to Mr. Takahira.
Washington, April 12, 1904.
Sir: Upon the receipt of your note of the 9th instant the Department at once instructed Mr. McCormick, at St. Petersburg, to use his good offices in behalf of the members of the crew and the five passengers of the press boat Hanyei Maru.
I am to-day in receipt of a telegram from Mr. McCormick, stating that the Russian minister for foreign affairs has submitted this case to Admiral Alexieff by wire, from whom he has also again asked for a reply to the request for permission for a neutral ship to visit Khorsakov to take off the Japanese consular staff and subjects.
Mr. McCormick adds that he is using great efforts on behalf of the Japanese subjects at Chita and hopes to make a favorable report with regard to them within a few days.
Accept, etc.,