Staaten. Nr. 12432. obstacle thereto; that the purpose for which the various Governments have Vereinigte co-operated for relief of Legations in Peking has been accomplished; that, 29. Aug. 1900. taking the position that as the Chinese Government has left Peking there is no need for her Representative to remain, Russia has directed Russian Minister to retire with his official personnel from China; that the Russian troops will likewise be withdrawn; and that, when the Government of China shall regain the reins of Government and afford an authority with which the other Powers can deal and will express desire to enter in negotiations, the Russian Government will also name its Representative, holding these views and purposes. Russia expresses hope that the United States will share the same opinion to this declaration. Our reply has been made by the following Memorandum: ,,The Government of the United States receives with much satisfaction the reiterated statement that Russia has no designs of territorial acquisition in China, and that, equally with the other Powers now operating in China, Russia has sought the safety of her Legation in Peking, and to help the Chinese Government to repress the existing troubles. The same purposes have moved, and will continue to control, the Government of the United States, and the frank declarations of Russia in this regard are in accord with those made to the United States by the other Powers. All the Powers, therefore, having disclaimed any purpose to acquire any part of China, and now that adherence thereto has been renewed since relief has reached Peking, it ought not to be difficult by concurrent action through negotations to reach an amicable settlement with China, by which the Treaty rights of all the Powers will be secured for the future, the open door assured, the interests and property of foreign citizens conserved, and full reparation made for wrongs and injuries suffered by them. ||,,So far as we are advised, the greater part of China is at peace, and earnestly desires to protect the life and property of all foreigners, and in several of the provinces active and successful efforts to suppress the Boxers have been taken by the Viceroys, to whom we have extended encouragement through our Consuls and naval officers. This present good relation should be promoted for the peace of China. While we agree that the immediate object for which the military forces of the Powers have been co-operating, viz., the relief of the Ministers at Peking, has been accomplished, there still remain the other purposes, which all the Powers have in common, which are referred to in the communication of the Russian Chargé, and which were specially enumerated in our note to the Powers of the 3rd July. These are to afford all possible protection everywhere in China to foreign life and property; to guard and protect all legitimate foreign interests; to aid in preventing the spread of the disorder to other provinces of the Empire, and a recurrence of such disorders; and to seek a solution which may bring about permanent safety and peace to China, preserve Chinese territorial and administrative entity, protect all rights guaranteed by Treaty and international law to friendly Powers, and safeguard for the world the principle of equal and Vereinigte impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese Empire. In our opinion these Nr. 12432. purposes could best be attained by the joint occupation of Peking, under a Staaten. definite unterstanding between the Powers, until the Chinese Government shall 29. Aug. 1900. have been re-established, and shall be in a position to enter into new Treaties, with adequate provisions for reparation and guarantees of future protection. With the establishment and recognition of such authority, the United States would wish to withdraw its military forces form Peking, and remit to the processes of peaceful negotiation our just demands. ||,,We consider, however, that a continued occupation of Peking would be ineffective to produce the desired result, unless all the Powers unite therein, with entire harmony of purpose. Any Power which determines to withdraw its troops from Peking will necessarily proceed thereafter to protect its interests in China by its own method, and we think that this would make a general withdrawal expedient. As to the time and manner of withdrawal, we think that, in view of the imperfect knowledge of the military situation resulting from the interruptions of telegraphic communication, the several Military Commanders at Peking should be instructed to confer and agree together upon the withdrawal as a concerted movement, as they agreed upon the advance. The result of these considerations is that, unless there is such a general expression by the Powers in favour of continued occupation as to modify the views expressed by the Government of Russia, and lead to a general agreement for continued occupation, we shall give instructions to the Commander of the American forces in China to withdraw our troops from Peking, after due conference with the other Commanders as to the time and manner of withdrawal. || „The Government of the United States is much gratified by the assurance given by Russia that the occupation of Newchwang is for military purposes, incidental to the military steps for the security of the Russian border provinces menaced by the Chinese, and that as soon as order shall be re-established Russia will retire her troops from these places, if the action of the other Powers be not an obstacle thereto. No obstacle in this regard can arise trough any action of the United States, whose policy is fixed, and has been repeatedly proclaimed. Signed. Dated 29th August." You will communicate the foregoing to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and invite early consideration and response. Nr. 12433. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Generalkonsul in Schanghai an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Landung französischer Truppen. Shanghae, August 30, 1900. (August 30.) britannien. (Telegraphic.) || To-day a French force consisting of 600 marines, one Nr. 12433. The Grofsmountain battery, and one company of Annamites was landed here. Japanese are acquiring quarters for troops, and other Powers also will pro-30. Aug. 1900. bably land men. Nr. 12434. Grofs Nr. 12434. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Botschafter in Paris an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Ansicht der französ. Regierung über Nr. 12432. Paris, August 31, 1900. (August 31.) (Telegraghic.) || I have asked M. Delcassé his views with regard to the britannien, communications made by the Russian, the American, and the Japanese Govern31.Aug. 1900. ments. || His Excellency replied that from the outset of the trouble in China France and Russia had gone hand in hand, and that it was hardly necessary, therefore, for him to add that France approved the declaration of policy made by Russia, and adopted it as far as it was applicable to French interests. || His Excellency considers that the practical part of the proposal made by the United States' Government deals chiefly with the withdrawal of their troops from Peking. He agrees in the opinion that such a withdrawal would be expedient if it would facilitate and accelerate the commencement of negotiations for peace, and if it could be effected without the appearance of a retreat (which would compromise European prestige in the eyes of the Chinese). The question, however, was one which could only be settled by the Commanders of the foreign contingents on the spot; but as the troops would probably only be transferred to Tien-tsin, it might be hoped that the Chinese would not be hereby encouraged to look upon the Europeans as worsted. || Of the Japanese suggestion as to the return of the Emperor and of the Empress-Dowager M. Delcassé had not heard. || Briefly, the view of the French Government is that the chief object to be pursued is to terminate the present situation as expeditiously as possible, but to do this the establish ment of a really responsible Government is essential. M. Delcassé believes, from the report furnished by M. Decrais of his interview with your Lordship, that you are of the same opinion. || His Excellency laid great stress upon the necessity that the Chinese negotiators should produce credentials indisputably valid. Nr. 12435. Grofsbritannien. Nr. 12435. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Minister des Auswärtigen an den Gesandten in Peking. Über die Boxer, ob die Gesandten in Peking bleiben sollen. Foreign Office, August 31, 1900. (Telegraphic.) It has been intimated by the Russian Government that the rescue of the Legations in Peking was the most important object of the 31.Aug.1900. Russian programme, and that the attainment of this object had been effected, The rendering of assistance to the Central Chinese Government in the re-establishment of order and in the restoration of regular relations with the Powers was the second object which the Russian Government had in view. This object was hindered for the moment by the Emperor, Empress-Dowager, and Chinese Government having left Peking. || The Russian Government in these circumstances saw no reason for their Legation to remain in Peking accredited to an absent Government, and now proposes to withdraw M. de Giers, as Grofs well as the staff of the Legation to Tien-tsin, accompanied by the Russian Nr. 12435. troops. In view of the decision which has been arrived at and which has britannien. been expressed by Russia many times, viz., not to exceed the limits of the 31.Aug. 1900. task which she had taken in hand at the commencement of the disorders, their presence at Peking now becomes useless. The moment, however, that the reins of power have been resumed by the legitimate Government of China, and Representatives have been nominated, furnished with full powers sufficient to carry on negotiations, the Russian Government would, in concert with other States, proceed to appoint Representatives for that purpose. || Please report whether you have heard anything of this resolution so announced, and whether any preparations are being made to carry it out? Is it expedient, in your opinion, that a similar course should be taken with regard to the British Legation? Would future negotiations be impeded if you were to withdraw to Tien-tsin? Do you consider it likely that a similar course will be adopted by the other Powers? Nr. 12436. GROSSBRITANNIEN. — Der Generalkonsul in Schanghai an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Vorbereitung. zur Landung deutscher Truppen. Shanghae, September 1, 1900. (September 1.) Grofs (Telegraphic.) || Preparations were being made here for the accomodation Nr. 12436. of 2000 German troops. The German Minister and the United States' Com- britanninn. missioner, Mr. Rockhill, who has just arrived here, had interviews tho-day 1. Sept. 1900. with Li Hung-chang. Nr. 12437. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Minister des Auswär tigen an den Botschafter in Berlin. Dasselbe. Grofs (Telegraphic.) || By order of the Emperor the German Embassy has made a Nr. 12437. communication to the following effect:- || Orders have been given by the Emperor britannien. for two companies of the German East Asiatic Corps, about 500 men, to be 1. Sept. 1900. landed at Shanghae. His Majesty lays stress on the fact and wishes Her Majesty's Government to understand that the object of the landing is not antiBritish, but to support the policy of Her Majesty's Government in defending Shanghae and in maintaining order. Nr. 12438. CHINA. Der Gesandte in London an den englischen Minister des Auswärtigen. Li Hung-Tschang bittet um Eröffnung der Verhandlungen. 3. September 1900. The purport of a telegram from his Excellency Li Hung-chang, under date Shanghae, the 2nd September, 6.45 A. M., received by Sir Chihchen Lofêngluh in London at 9 A. M. the same day:-,,Have received by telegraph Nr. 12438. China. 3. Sept. 1900. 3. Sept. 1900. Nr. 12438. an Imperial Decree from His Majesty the Emperor of China, under date the China. 19th August, urging me, as Plenipotentiary, to propose to open peace negotiations with the Treaty Powers. ||,,I memorialized, as per telegram under date 26th August, to the Throne for the appointment of Prince Ching, Yung Lu, and the Viceroys Lew Kwung Yih and Chang Chih Tung as co-Plenipotentiaries, and have now to request the Ministers resident at the different Courts to make the necessary explanations, and to use their efforts to persuade the Foreign Offices in favour of opening the peace negotations as soon as possible.“ Nr. 12439. britannien. Nr. 12439. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Minister des Auswärtigen an die engl. Botschafter. Eine bestimmte Stellung zu den russischen Vorschlägen ist unmöglich. Foreign Office, September 3, 1900. (Telegraphic.) | Circular communication made by the Russian Government Grofs- to the Powers and reply by the American Government. You should inform 3. Sept. 1900. the Government to which you are accredited that no answer has yet been received by Her Majesty's Government to the communication which they have addressed to their officers at Peking. They are not able to form a confident judgment on the important questions raised in the Russian Circular, until further information reaches them from Her Majesty's Minister and from the General Commanding the British forces in that city. Nr. 12440. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Minister des Auswärtigen an den Botschafter in Berlin. Landung deutscher Truppen in Schanghai. Nr. 12440. britannien. Foreign Office, September 3, 1900. (Telegraphic.) || Referring to my telegram of the 1st instant respecting Grofs- the proposed landing of German troops at Shanghae, I have informed the 3. Sept 1900. German Embassy that I do not consider that the landing of the forces mentioned would be in any way unfavourable to the policy of Her Majesty's Government, and I have at the same time expressed through the German Embassy my thanks for the courteous communication made to me by the Emperor's direction. Nr. 12441. Nr. 12441. GROSSBRITANNIEN. (Telegraphic.) burg an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Unterredung mit Lamsdorff über Nr. 12439. St. Petersburgh, September 5, 1900. (September 5.) The substance of your telegram of 3rd September has Grofs. been communicated to Count Lamsdorff, who quite understands our desire for britannien. 5. Sept. 1900. fuller information of position at Peking before deciding our course of action. || |