Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation,
Peking,
China, February 27,
1904.
No. 1522.]Sir: Referring to my No. 1509 of February 23,
in regard to the reply of the Russian Government to the United States
concerning the neutrality of China and the limitation of the zone of
hostilities, and inclosing copy of the note communicating the
information to the Chinese Government, I inclose herewith translation of
the reply received this day from the foreign office, and have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
The Foreign Office to
Mr. Conger.
We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 7th instant
(February 22) of your excellency’s note, saying that you were in
receipt of a cablegram from the Department of State to the effect
that the Russian Government had replied to the note of the United
States, declaring that Russia was as desirous as other powers for
the preservation of peace in China, and was quite willing to enter
into arrangement with other countries to secure the neutrality of
China and the avoidance by the belligerents of transgressing the
borders of China’s neutral territory, provided that the obligations
of a neutral power should be carefully fulfilled by the Chinese
Government, but that Manchuria could not but be included in the area
of hostilities, and that it could not therefore be regarded as
within the neutral boundaries; that the Department of State had
replied to this that China had already agreed to the principles of
said note, and that it would have much pleasure in announcing to the
Chinese Government this reply of the Russian Government.
We, prince and ministers, have carefully noted the contents of your
dispatch.
[Page 127]
China must, of
course, carefully observe the laws of neutrality so as to support
the admirable purpose of your honorable Government, by which it has
placed China under obligation.
As in duty bound we send this reply that your excellency may transmit
it for the information of your honorable Government.
We avail ourselves, etc.,
Cards inclosed.
First moon, 11th day. (Feb. 26, 1904.)
