Office of the Historian

File No. 23640/25.

Chargé Fletcher to the Secretary of State.

American Legation,
Peking, March 16, 1910.
No. 1398.]

Sir: In continuation of my number 1387 of March 4, 1910, on the subject of the visit of Prince Tao to the United States at the head of a commission to investigate military affairs, I have the honor to inclose herewith translation of a communication I have received from his highness with reference to his plans, and giving the names of his suite.

I have already telegraphed to the department an outline of the prince’s plans and date of his arrival, etc.

I have, etc.,

Henry P. Fletcher.
[Inclosure—Translation.]

Prince Tsai-Vao to Chargé Fletcher.

Peking, March 12, 1910.
No. 25.]

Your Excellency: I beg to inform your excellency that I have received His Majesty’s order to visit the different countries of Europe and America for the purpose of investigating military affairs, as your excellency has already been informed by the board of foreign affairs.

[Page 340]

I have now decided to start from Peking on the 20th day of the present moon (March 30, 1910), first proceeding to Japan. On the 6th day of April I shall leave Yokohama by the Ti Yang Wan steamer, going to San Francisco via Honolulu, at which place I would like to go ashore and look about. I purpose to stay in America about 12 or 13 days, and I now send this information to your excellency with the request that your excellency will have the kindness to notify the American Government and the authorities at Honolulu, and the other places on the route of travel.

I inclose a list of the names of the members of my suite.

I avail, etc.,

Tsai-t’ao.
[Subinclosure.]

Members of Prince Tsai-t’ao’s Suite.

Lord Li Ching-mai, brevet deputy lieutenant general.

Ha Hun-chang, councillor to the military reconstruction office.

Hsü Chih-shan, councillor to the imperial bodyguard.

Yao Pao-lai, director of a bureau, military reconstruction office.

P’eng Ts’an-ch’ang, councillor to the naval reconstruction office.

Liu En-yüan, councillor to the board of war.

T’ien Hsien-chang, councillor to the imperial bodyguard.

Chi ang Shao-yüan, secretary, military reconstruction office.

T’ung-ch’ang, under secretary, military equipment department, imperial bodyguard.

Wu Wei-yü, medical officer, imperial bodyguard.