File No. 14911/11–12.
The Chinese Minister to
the Secretary of State.
Imperial Chinese Legation,
Washington, November 17,
1908.
No. 16.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have
received to-day, through the Wai-wu Pu (Ministry of Foreign Affairs),
Peking, the
[Page 119]
inclosed imperial
message, forwarded by cable, from His Majesty the Emperor of China to
His Excellency the President of the United States of America, announcing
the demise of Her Majesty, the late Grand Empress Dowager. I thank you
to transmit the message to its high destination.
Accept, etc.,
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The Emperor of China, newly
succeeding to the Imperial Throne, to His Excellency the
President of the United States of America, greeting:
Unhappy is our lot that heaven should visit us with a second
affliction in the demise of Her Imperial Majesty the Grand Empress
Dowager, which occurred on the 22d day of the tenth moon (November
15). Our sorrow, indeed, knows no bounds. In view of the fact that
the enlightened policies and virtuous accomplishments of Her Majesty
have won the admiration and respect of all nations, we find it our
sad duty to announce Her Majesty’s demise to all friendly powers.
Cordial relations have always existed between China and the United
States of America, and we feel assured that Your Excellency, upon
receipt of this sad news, will sympathize with us. We hereby
respectfully transmit the sorrowful tidings by cable.
Peking, November 17,
1908.
