Office of the Historian

Mr. McCormick to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]
American Embassy,
St. Petersburg, February 19, 1904.

(Mr. McCormick transmits the reply of the Russian Government to the proposal of the United States relating to the neutrality of China, which states that the Russian Government shares completely the desire to insure tranquillity of China; is ready to adhere to an understanding with other powers for the purpose of safeguarding the neutrality of that Empire on the following conditions:

  • Firstly. China must herself strictly observe all the clauses of neutrality.
  • Secondly. The Japanese Government must loyally observe the engagements entered into with the powers, as well as the principles generally recognized by the law of nations.
  • Thirdly. That it is well understood that neutralization in no case can be extended to Manchuria, the territory of which by the force of events will serve as the field of military operations.)