493.11/862
The British Ambassador ( Geddes ) to the Secretary of State
His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to inform Mr. Hughes that he is in receipt of instructions from his Government to bring to the notice of the Secretary of State that His Majesty’s Government have now decided, subject to the sanction of Parliament, to remit their share of the outstanding Boxer indemnity payments on the understanding that these will be devoted to approved objects mutually beneficial to China and to Great Britain.
[Page 813]Pending a decision in regard to the detailed application of these funds, which is now under consideration, His Majesty’s Inspector-General of Customs in China has been instructed to credit the forthcoming instalment of the above mentioned payments to a special suspense [expense?] account.
In communicating this information to the Government of the United States Sir Auckland Geddes is instructed to enquire whether the United States Government desire to associate themselves with His Majesty’s Government in addressing to the Chinese Government a communication announcing their decision to remit under similar conditions the remainder of the indemnity payments. Sir Auckland Geddes would be grateful if he might be favoured with an early reply.
His Majesty’s Government are addressing a similar enquiry to the Japanese Government.