Minister Rockhill to Acting Secretary of State Peirce.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

(Mr. Rockhill communicates a confidential message from the Emperor of China to the President expressing China’s great obligation for the President’s action in urging upon China the careful observation of neutrality and for his action in proclaiming to the whole world that the territorial integrity of China must be preserved and that her sovereignty must not be injured. For this the Chinese Empire is deeply grateful. The Chinese Government has now learned that the Japanese and Russian Governments are planning for peace and that the President is to exert his good offices as mediator. The Chinese Government hopes that the President will exert his influence for the protection of the territorial rights of China in Manchuria and all China’s interests, preserving her sovereignty complete without loss.)