File No. 14911/93–94.
Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of
State.
[Extract.]
American Lelgation,
Peking, February 9,
1909.
No. 1101.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
copy of a circular of the dean of the diplomatic body, which I
received yesterday, informing
[Page 216]
me that the Chinese Government would invite
the diplomatic body to be present at the funeral ceremonies of His
Majesty the late Emperor on May 1 next, and that it would see with
pleasure the sending by the various powers of special embassies for
the occasion.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
circular of dean of the diplomatic
body.
Peking, February 6,
1909.
Circular No. 17.]
The dean has the honor to inform his honorable colleagues that he
has just received the visit of a member of the Wai-wu Pu, who
advised him officially that the Chinese Government expects to
invite to the funeral of His Majesty the late Emperor, which
will take place on the 1st of May, all the foreign
representatives actually at Peking, and that furthermore it will
feel itself much honored if the heads of States see fit to send
special ambassadors for the occasion.
Furthermore, Mr. Chou said to me that the Prince Regent would be
greatly obliged if the ambassadors extraordinary could reach
Peking about April 25 so that they could be invited to pay their
respects to the coffin of Her Majesty the late Empress
Dowager.
Mr. Chou told me confidentially that the Prince Regent had agreed
to return the visit of foreign princes at their legations, and
that he expected after the funeral to invite them and all the
heads of missions at Peking to a dinner at the palace.
