Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, July 8,
1905.
No. 25.]
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the telegraphic instruction of the 6th instant.
In this connection I have also the honor to inclose herewith a
translation of a dispatch received from the foreign office by which the
Chinese Government declares that it will not recognize any arrangement
which may be made by Japan and Russia at the forthcoming peace
negotiations which may involve China’s interests without an agreement to
that effect shall have been reached with China.
The motif of this declaration is the apprehension felt that Japan may
seek to secure at the peace negotiations the reversion of the various
concessions made to Russia or to Russian companies of rights in
Manchuria.
* * * * * * *
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Prince Ch’ing
to Minister Rockhill.
When recently the unfortunate rupture of friendly relations between
Japan and Russia occurred, the Chinese Government was deeply
grieved. Now that it is reported that peace negotiations are about
to begin and that the old feeling of good will is to be restored the
Chinese Government can not but rejoice. But in this present war it
is Chinese territory that has been used for the military operations,
and if in the articles of peace now about to be negotiated there
should be anything involving Chinese interests, it will be
impossible to recognize any arrangement whatever, made at this time,
concerning which agreement shall not have first been reached with
China. My board has already sent a dispatch to this effect to the
Japanese and Russian ministers residing in Peking, thus making a
plain declaration beforehand. Besides sending separate telegrams to
the several Chinese ministers abroad, directing them to inform the
various foreign governments, I have the honor, as in duty bound, to
send this dispatch to your excellency for your information.
A necessary dispatch.
Kuanghsü, XXXI year, 6th moon, 4th day
(July 6, 1905).
[seal.]
