Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation,
Peking,
China, February 17,
1904.
No. 1508.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose translation of
a note received from the foreign office gratefully acknowledging receipt
of the kind [Page 125] expressions of the
Government of the United States concerning the neutrality of China and
the necessity of limiting as much as possible the zone of hostilities in
the war now existing between Russia and Japan.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Note from foreign
office to Mr. Conger.
Your Excellency: We have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note saying that you
had received a telegram from the United States Secretary of State to
the effect that in the war just begun between Russia and Japan it
was the one desire of the United States Government that the
neutrality of China and, so far as possible, her administrative
entity, should be respected by both powers, and that the area of
hostilities should be limited and localized as much as possible,
lest the Chinese people should become unduly excited and the
commerce between China and other countries should suffer injury or
the peaceful relations of China with other powers be disturbed. Your
excellency forwarded this statement to us for our consideration.
We, the prince and ministers, have read with care this statement and
note that it gives evidence of your honorable Government’s concern
for the public interests and its efforts to the full extent of its
influence to support them. For this expression of its sentiments,
which are in thorough accord with those of the Chinese Government,
we are deeply grateful.
As in duty bound, we send this reply to your excellency that you may
forward it to your honorable Government for its information, and in
doing so avail ourselves of the opportunity to wish you the
compliments of the day.
February 15, 1904.
