493.11/997

The Secretary of State to the Chinese Minister ( Sze )

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of an act of Congress, approved May 21, 1924, whereby the President is authorized, in his discretion, to remit to China the balance of the Boxer Indemnity, such remission to begin as from October 1, 1917, and to be at such times and in such manner as the President shall deem just, the intent of the Congress, as stated in the preamble to the Act, being further to develop the educational and other cultural activities of China.

Accept [etc.]

Charles E. Hughes
[Enclosure]

Joint Resolution of Congress, Approved May 21, 1924, Providing for the Remission of Further Payments of the Annual Installments of the Chinese Indemnity

Whereas by authority of a joint resolution of Congress approved May 25, 1908,85 the President of the United States was authorized to remit unto China the sum of $11,961,121.76 of the Boxer indemnity fund accredited to the United States, which sum the President on December 28, 1908, duly remitted and which, at the request of China, was specified to be used for educational purposes; and

[Page 555]

Whereas it is deemed proper as a further act of friendship to remit the balance of said indemnity fund amounting to $6,137,552.90 in order further to develop the educational and other cultural activities of China: Now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to remit to China as an act of friendship any or all further payments of the annual installments of the Chinese indemnity due under the bond received from China pursuant to the protocol of September 7, 1901,86 as modified by Executive order on the 28th day of December, 1908,87 pursuant to the authority of the joint resolution of Congress approved May 25, 1908, for indemnity against losses and expenses incurred by reason of the so-called Boxer disturbances in China during the year 1900, such remission to begin as from October 1, 1917, and to be at such times and in such manner as the President shall deem just.