Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1904

Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

American Legation,
Peking, China, January 25, 1904.

No. 1484.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose translation of the note this date received from Prince Ch’ing, and to be, sir, etc.,

E. H. Conger.

[Inclosure.]

Prince Ch’ing to Mr. Conger.

I have the honor to call your excellency’s attention to the fact that article 6 of the treaty between China and the United States of the XX year of Kuanghsii, relating to Chinese laborers, provides that “this convention shall remain in force for a period of ten years, beginning with the date of the exchange of ratifications, and if six months before the expiration of the said period neither government shall have formally given notice of its final termination to the other it shall remain in force for another like period of ten years.”

I find with reference to said treaty that the period of ten years within which it shall remain in force, reckoning from the date of the exchange of ratifications, will expire on the 1st of the eleventh moon of the XXX year of Kuanghsü; that is, on the 7th of December, 1904. Now, therefore, I send this formal notice that this treaty will terminate immediately upon the expiration of the period mentioned, and shall not continue for another period.

But China and your honorable country are united by friendly ties, and it will be very easy for them to negotiate together in a friendly way and satisfactory manner a new treaty.

This plain announcement is thus made in advance, which I send to your excellency, as in duty bound, that you may transmit the same to your honorable government for its consideration.

A necessary dispatch.

Kuanghsii, XXIX year, twelfth moon, 8th day.
(January 24, 1904.)

[seal.]

Prince Ch’ing to Mr. Conger.

[Translation.]

Prince Ch’ing, president of the Waiwu Pu, has the honor to communicate to Mr. Conger, the United States minister, the following notice for transmission to the United States Government:

Whereas article 6 of the supplemental convention of the twentieth year of Kuanghsü (1894) between China and the United States, relating to Chinese immigration, reads as follows:

“This convention shall remain in force for a period of ten years beginning with the date of the exchange of ratifications, and if six months before the expiration of the said period of ten years neither government shall have formally given notice of its final termination to the other, it shall remain in full force for another like period of ten years.”

And whereas, on the first day of the eleventh moon, in the thirtieth year of Kuanghsü, corresponding to the 7th of December, 1904, the said convention will have been in force for a period of ten years beginning with the date of the exchange of ratifications:

Now, therefore, in pursuance of the provisions of the said article 6, formal notice is hereby given that the said convention will cease to be operative upon the expiration of the said period, and will not be renewed for another period.

But in lieu of the friendly relations which have always existed between China and the United States, propositions looking to a satisfactory adjustment of the question by a new treaty will be entertained.

Prince Ch’ing avails himself, etc.

Chinese Legation,
Washington, March 3, 1904.