China. 29. Juni1900. occasion to explain to the different foreign Secretaries the action of the Nr. 12365. Chinese Government and the motives by which it was actuated under the ever-changing circumstances which have led to the present complicated state of our foreign relations. || Orders of a very imperative character have been given to the officer charged with the protection of the foreign Legations to exert himself to the utmost in order that nothing untoward may happen to them. Our Ministers are to remain at their respective posts in foreign countries, and to continue to discharge their official duties with unremitting care and assiduity. Let this be transmitted to them. | Respect this. Nr. 12366. CHINA. Der Gesandte in London an den engl. Received June 29, 1900. China. 29. Juni 1900. The Chinese Minister presents his compliments to the Marquess of Nr. 12366. Salisbury, and, referring to the interview he had with his Lordship yesterday, has the honour to forward him the following translation of the telegram from the Viceroys at Nanking and Woochang, the purport of which he communicated to Lord Salisbury at the interview above mentioned: || „In view of the exceedingly critical state of affairs in the north of China, the Undersigned, the Viceroys of the Liang Kiang and Liang Hu Governments, whilst hoping to see things taking a more favourable turn, have deemed it expedient to take special measures for the preservation of order in the provinces under their jurisdiction in the event of the disturbances ever extending to them. ,,With the object, therefore, of arriving at an understanding with the Treaty Powers with respect to any concerted action which eventualities may call for, the Undersigned have framed the following Articles, and instructed the Taotai at Shanghae to submit them to the Consular Body at Shanghae as the basis of such action: ,,1. That the Chinese authorities and the Consular Representatives of the Treaty Powers shall consult with each other, and act conjointly, in protecting native and foreign life and property, and this they severally recognized as being the sole object of the proposed understanding. |,,2. That the duty of protecting Shangae shall be confided to the Treaty Powers. ||,,3. That in the region of the Yang-tsze Valley, including the towns of Soochow and Hangchow, the responsibility for the maintenance of order shall pertain to the Viceroys of the Liang Kiang and Liang Hu Provinces, who, within the limits aforesaid, undertake to give adequate protection to foreign life and property, merchant and missionary; and with this object, they do further undertake to issue stringent and imperative orders to all officials subordinate to them to 29.Juni 1900. Nr. 12366. suppress all inflammatory placards and punish all instigators of animosity China. between foreigners and the people. 4. That the foreign war-ships already stationed at the Treaty ports in the Yang-tsze shall be maintained as heretofore, but on condition of their crews not being allowed to go ashore. ,,5. That the Viceroys shall not be held responsible for the consequences of any disturbances which the entrance of foreign ships of war into the Yang-tsze may occasion, unless such entrance shall have been sanctioned by them.|| „6. That no foreign ships of war shall pass near to, or anchor opposite to, or in the vicinity of the Woosung and Yang-tsze forts; neither shall they go through any exercises in the neighbourhood of the forts which, by being misunderstood, might bring about a collision between them and the forts. ,,7. That foreign ships of war shall not cruise or anchor near to any of the Government powder-magazines, and that no foreign sailor or other person shall be allowed to approach such magazines. The ammunition contained therein being solely intended for the preservation of order and the security of life and property, and being under the perfect control of the Viceroys, no apprehension should be entertained lest it should be used for any other purpose. 8. That foreigners and missionaries shall for the present refrain from travelling in places in the interior where it might be difficult to give them adequate protection. || 9. That any measures which the Powers may take for the defence of Shanghae shall be conducted in the least obtrusive manner possible, and so as to avoid exciting the fears of the populace, some of whom might otherwise avail themselves of the occasion to create disturbances which it might not be easy to control. ||,,The above are the only measures which, in the opinion of the Undersigned, would suffice for the maintenance of order and tranquillity in the Yang-tsze Provinces, in the event of their being afflicted by the troubles now agitating to metropolitan district and certain parts of Shantung. || The Consuls are requested to communicate them to their respective Governments, who, it is earnestly hoped, may be able to give them their approval. Nr. 12367. Grofs britannien. (Signed) Lieu Kwun-Yih, Viceroy of the Liang Kiang. ,,Chang Chi-Tung, Viceroy of the Liang Hu." P.S. An Imperial Rescript has just been received, stating that the foreign Legations continue to receive the plenary protection of the Imperial Government. Chinese Legation, June 29, 1900. Nr. 12367. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Minister des Auswärtigen an den Botschafter in Paris. Unterhaltung mit dem französischen Botschafter über die Anzahl der nach China zu sendenden Truppen. Foreign Office, July 3, 1900. Sir, The French Ambassador, who called on me to-day, expressed a 3. Juli 1900. wish that the Powers should come to an understanding as to the number of Grofs troops to be sent by each to China. || I questioned his Excellency as to the Nr. 12367. precise object that these contingents were to attain. || M. Cambon replied that britannien. he thought we should be guided by the opinion of those on the spot, and he 3. Juli 1900. proposed that the question should be referred to a Council of the Admirals at Taku. I expressed some apprehension that advice coming from such a Council might represent the opinion of a less competent majority, and not that of the most weighty members of it. I should prefer that each Power should seek the opinion of its own authorities as to what ought to be done, and what force was necessary to do it. To this view M. Cambon assented. With regard to the proposals drawn up by the Viceroys at Nanking and Hankow, and submitted to the Consular Body at Shanghae as a basis for joint action in certain eventualities, M. Cambon stated that the proposed arrangement indicated in many respects the course which the French Government was disposed to follow, but that they were not prepared to bind themselves by authorizing their Consul-General to sign it. Salisbury. Nr. 12368. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Konsul in Kanton an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Übersendet ein kaiserliches Dekret an die Vicekönige. Hilflosigkeit der chinesischen Regierung. Canton, July 4, 1900. (July 4.) Grofs (Telegraphic.) || I have received privately a copy of an Imperial Decree Nr. 12368. to Li Hung-chang and the Viceroys of the Yang-tsze Provinces, which has since britannien. been published in a newspaper, to the following effect: ||,,June 26-You 4. Juli 1900. are aware of our dilemma about the armed bands (meaning Boxers), who must be either destroyed or pacified, and of the hostilities commenced by the foreign Powers. ||,,You have estimated your resources and advise peaceful measures. The Boxers are now in Peking, and have made their way into every part; their hatred of foreign missionaries is implacable. Were it attempted to suppress them by force, a catastrophe would be precipitated in the capital, and the inhabitants would be plunged in misery. We can now only employ the means we cannot control; a remedy for the state of affairs must be sought later. We are quite helpless, and war is being forced upon Hesitate no longer. Collect forces and money for the defence of the provinces you govern." || Li Hung-chang, at an interview yesterday, said that he was determined to avoid, as far as possible, all warlike operations here. I would recommend that the Powers make a united declaration that they will not make any attack on the Bogue forts or Canton. us. Nr. 12369. Nr. 12369. VEREINIGTE STAATEN. Der Botschafter in London an den englischen Minister des Auswärtigen. Politik der Vereinigten Staaten in der chinesischen Krisis. American Embassy, London, July 5, 1900. (July 5.) My Lord, I have the honour to inform your Lordship that, in the Staaten. present critical posture of affairs in China, my Government deems it appropriate 5. Juli 1900. to define its attitude, so far as present circumstances permit this to be done, and has instructed me to advise your Lordship that it adheres to the policy initiated by it in 1857, of peace with the Chinese nation, and of furtherance of lawful commerce and of protection of the lives and property of its citizens, by all means guaranteed under extra-territorial Treaty rights, and by the law of nations. If wrong be done to its citizens, it proposes to hold the responsible authors to the utmost accountability. It regards the condition at Peking as one of virtual anarchy, whereby power and responsibility have practically devolved upon the local provincial authorities. So long as they are not in overt collusion with rebellion, and use their power to protect foreign life and property, my Government regards them as representing the Chinese people, with whom it seeks to remain in peace and friendship. || The purpose of the President is, as it has been heretofore, to act concurrently whith the other Powers 1. In opening up communication with Peking, and rescuing the American officials, missionaries, and other Americans who are in danger. || 2. In affording all possible protection everywhere in China to American life and property. || 3. In guarding and protecting all legitimate American interests. || 4. In aiding to prevent a spread of the disorders to the other provinces of the Empire, and a recurrence of such disasters. || My Government considers that, with the information at present at hand, it is too early to forecast the means of attaining this last result; but its policy is to seek a solution which may bring about permanent safety and peace to China, preserve Chinese territory and administrative entity, protect all rights guaranteed to friendly Powers by Treaties and international law, and safeguard for the world the principle of equal and impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese Empire. || I shall be pleased to have a brief interview with your Lordship as soon after the perusal of this note as you can conveniently accord it to me. Joseph H. Choate. Nr. 12370. Grofsbritannien. Nr. 12370. GROSSBRITANNIEN.- Antwort des Ministers des Auswärtigen auf Nr. 12366. The Chinese Minister called at this Office on the 4th instant and asked my view with respect to the arrangements proposed by the Viceroys of 5. Juli 1900. Nanking and Hankow, to the Consular Body at Shanghae, with regard to the joint action to be taken in the case of certain eventualities. || I answered that Grofs I could fully recognize the excellent spirit in which these proposals were Nr. 12370. devised; but that Her Majesty's Government could not accept them as a con- britannien. tract which they were bound to execute. I pointed out that they involved 5. Juli 1900. the renunciation of rights which Great Britain possesses under the Treaties, and that they impose on Her Majesty's Government duties which belong to the Chinese Government. || So far as it appears to Her Majesty's Government to be expedient to execute their provisions they will gladly do so, but each case must be judged on its merits. Foreign Office, July 5, 1900. Salisbury. Nr. 12371. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Generalkonsul in Schanghai an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Bedrohung von Nanking. Shanghae, July 5, 1900. (July 6.) (Telegraphic.) Yuan-Shih-Kai, Governor of Shantung, is reported to Grofs have received orders from Prince Tuan in Peking to march with 18 000 well- britannien. drilled troops on Nanking, and to capture it. || Anarchy will spread throughout 5. Juli 1900. the Empire if this attack is made, and if we have not a very strong force here to support the Viceroy. Nr. 12372. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Der Botschafter in Petersburg an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Die russische Regierung über Nr. 12360. St. Petersburgh, July 8, 1900. (July 8.) Grofs His Excellency mentioned the britannien. for separate action or special 8. Juli 1900. (Telegraphic.) | China. I have informed Count Lamsdorff, as instructed Nr. 12372. in your Lordship's telegram of the 6th July. possibility that Japan might want a mandate conditions of her co-operation, by which the accord in the common task of rescue and protection might be endangered. In his opinion, it is essential for the success of the combined effort that action should be identic and on equal conditions, and that although every contribution of force promptly available for co-operation should be welcomed, no one Power should be given a mandate for separate action, or any special conditions, or any claim to preponderating voice in guidance based on the relative amount of force supplied or the services rendered to the common cause. Nr. 12373. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gesandte in Japan an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Antwort auf Nr. 12360. Tokio, July 11, 1900. (July 11.) Grofs (Telegraphic.) | With reference to your Lordship's telegram of the 6th July, Nr. 12373. I was sent for to-day by Viscount Aoki, who told me that in consequence of britannion. the friendly assurances given by your Lordship, it had been decided by the 11. Juli 1900. |