suits of that character while pending. They should not burden the embassy by asking it to relieve them from the consequences of their own neglect to defend; but it is, of course, proper for you to render them all necessary assistance, even when they could have avoided trouble by timely attention to their own interests. I am, etc., DAVID J. HILL, KAISER WILHELM CANAL-PASSAGE OF UNITED STATES NAVAL VESSELS THROUGH. No. 1672.] Mr. White to Mr. Hay. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to report that permission has been granted the United States ship Enterprise (Massachusetts nautical school ship) to pass through the Kaiser Wilhelm (Kiel) Canal, en route to the North Sea, in accordance with a request made by the embassy a few days ago. This request was made at the instance of Commander Edward M. Hughes, United States Navy, commanding the Enterprise, who is at present cruising in the Baltic Sea and expects to arrive at Kiel about August 1. I have, etc., No. 1765.] Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay. ANDREW D. WHITE. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to report that, in accordance with a statement furnished the embassy by Mr. Sartori, our consular agent at Kiel, the canal dues paid by the U. S. S. Enterprise amounted to 400 marks, and those of the U. S. S. Buffalo to 900 marks, which, considering the saving in time and coal, would apparently indicate that it is less expensive for our ships to go through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal than it would be for them to round the Danish peninsula. During the past few months three United States naval vessels, the Enterprise, Hartford, and Buffalo, have visited Kiel, and while all have made a good impression--the Hartford, on account of her beauty and historical connections, and the Enterprise and Buffalo, as showing the admirable way in which landsmen are trained for both our commercial and military navies-I am of the opinion that it would be advantageous to have more modern ships visit German ports. During "regatta week" at Kiel there is usually quite an assemblage of German naval vessels in port, as well as a more or less international (principally English) gathering of pleasure and racing yachts. It is the known desire of the German Emperor to increase the international character of the regatta, and I feel confident that the presence of American vessels during the week would be favorably regarded. In view of the recent reestablishment by us of an "European squadron,” I venture to hope that this question may receive proper consideration. Many German naval officers have been in United States ports, have experienced American hospitality, speak English, and have pleasant recollections of their association with our service and its officers, while relatively few of our officers have any knowledge of German or anything more than a superficial (or literary) acquaintance with German officers and the Imperial Navy. As a former officer in our Navy, I have given this subject considerable serious consideration, and I am decidedly of the opinion that more intercourse between American and German naval officers in ports where there is no outside influence can not but be beneficial. The Empress Frederick, mother of the reigning Emperor, died at Cronberg about 6 o'clock this afternoon. Mr. White to Mr. Hay. WHITE. [Telegram.] EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, Berlin, August 6, 1901. The funeral services for the late Empress Frederick are to be strictly private, and a request has been made that no special delegation be sent. No. 1690.] WHITE. Mr. White to Mr. Hay. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, a SIR: I have the honor to confirm the telegram sent you on the evening of the 5th instant, as well as that sent you on the evening of the 6th. This second message was sent upon the receipt of a note from the foreign office, stating that the course adopted was in accord with the last wishes of the late Empress. The funeral services are to be held at Cronberg on Sunday, August 11, and on August 13 the remains are to be placed in the mausoleum at Potsdam, near those of the late Emperor Frederick. It is now understood that the diplomatic corps is not to participate in the services at Potsdam. I have, etc., a Printed ante. ANDREW D. WHITE. The President to German Emperor. [Telegram.] EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, August 6, 1901. I learn with deep sorrow of the death of Your Majesty's beloved mother, the Dowager Empress Queen Frederick. Her noble qualities have endeared her memory to the American people, in whose name, and in my own, I tender to Your Majesty heartfelt condolence. WILLIAM MCKINLEY. Count von Quadt to Mr. Hay. [Translation.] IMPERIAL GERMAN EMBASSY, Manchester-by-the-Sea, August 8, 1901. Mr. SECRETARY OF STATE: Having been apprised officially of the death of Her Majesty the Empress and Queen Frederick, which took place on the 5th instant, I hereby perform the sad duty of bringing this to Your Excellency's notice. His Majesty, the Emperor and King, my most gracious master, together with the entire Royal House, have been plunged into the deepest grief by this sad event." Accept, etc., A. QUADT. Mr. Adee to Count von Quadt. No. 635.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 13, 1901. SIR: Replying to your note of the 8th instant, I have the honor to inform you that upon the receipt of the sad tidings of the death of Her Majesty, the Dowager Empress and Queen Frederick, His Majesty's mother, through the embassy of the United States, at Berlin, the President immediately sent a message of sympathy to His Majesty by telegraph. a A copy of the telegram is inclosed for your consideration. Accept, etc., ALVEY A. ADEE, No. 1703.] Mr. White to Mr. Hay. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Referring to the embassy's dispatch No. 1690, of the 8th instant, I have the honor to report that, after a period of uncertainty, it was ultimately signified to the ambassadors at this court that their presence would be welcome at the funeral services of the late Empress a Printed ante. Frederick at Potsdam, and that consequently I was present on that occasion yesterday. The pageant and services were very impressive, besides the German Emperor and Empress, the King and Queen of Great Britain taking part in the whole ceremony. Immediately before the procession began to move the Emperor signified a wish to see me, and upon my coming into his presence he spoke quite at length regarding the message of sympathy which he had received from the President, expressing his heartfelt appreciation of it and his thanks for it, and joining to this a personal expression of deep sympathy for a recent bereavement of my own. I may add to this that the entire German press, so far as I have observed it, gave prominence to the President's message of sympathy, frequently adding expressions of thorough appreciation of its spirit and whole tenor. I am, etc.. ANDREW D. WHITE. EXPIATORY MISSION OF PRINCE TSCHUN. Mr. White to Mr. Hay. No. 1721.] EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to report that it has been officially announced that the German Emperor received Prince Tschun Tsai-fong, a brother of the Emperor of China, at Potsdam at noon yesterday, and that Prince Tschun made a speech in which he expressed the regret of the Emperor of China at the murder of the German minister in Pekin, Baron Clemens von Ketteler, last year. The German Emperor received from Prince Tschun a letter from the Emperor of China, and made a reply to the speech. A translation of the speeches and of the letter is appended hereto, their text having been published in the official part of last night's Imperial Gazette (No. 210). Prince Tschun arrived in Potsdam on September 3 and was lodged in one of the royal palaces. Yesterday morning, in carriages provided by the royal stables, but without any escort, he proceeded to the "New Palace," where, accompanied by the new Chinese minister as interpreter, he was received by the Emperor, who was surrounded by several German princes, Baron von Richthofen, the Imperial secretary of state for foreign affairs, and various high court, civil, and military officials. On leaving the palace Prince Tschun was greeted with the military honors usually shown to an Imperial prince, and a military escort accompanied him to his residence. It is understood that, expiation having now been made, he will be shown the usual courtesies as long as he remains the guest of the Emperor-for a day or two. The new Chinese minister has not yet been received as such, and diplomatic relations have not yet been fully resumed, no audience having been granted the departing minister to present his letters of recall. I have deemed it advisable to make this report, in view of the fact that the sending of this "expiatory mission" was the result of the combined action of the several foreign representatives in Pekin, and because of the attention which has been given to it by the press generally and of the irresponsible reports which have been made with regard to the manner in which Prince Tschun was to have been received, and the reasons for his not having come through from Basle to Berlin about the 26th ultimo. I am, sir, etc., ANDREW D. WHITE. [Inclosure.] [Clipping from the European edition of the New York Herald, Paris, September 5, 1901, containing a free translation of the letter from the Emperor of China, Prince Tschun's speech, and the German Emperor's reply.] Berlin, Wednesday.-The letter from the Emperor of China, handed to the Emperor William by Prince Tschun, is to the following effect: "The Great Emperor of the Chinese Empire to His Majesty the Great German Emperor, greeting. "Ever since the Empires have been mutually represented by permanent legations we have stood in uninterrupted friendly relationship toward one another. These relations became still closer when Prince Henry of Prussia came to Pekin, for on that occasion we had the privilege of receiving the Prince frequently and of being able to hold intercourse with him in an intimate manner. Unfortunately, in the fifth month of last year, the Boxers rebelliously penetrated into Pekin and the soldiers joined them. "The result was the murder of Your Majesty's minister, Baron von Ketteler, a man who, so long as he occupied his post in Pekin, paid careful attention to the interests of our countries and to whom we were bound to pay our special acknowledgments. We regret most deeply that Baron von Ketteler met so terrible an end among us. The fact that we were not in a position to take due protective measures was painful to our feeling of responsibility. It was our feeling of responsibility which prompted us to erect a monument on the spot as a sign that the crime should not remain unexpiated. "Further, we have sent to Germany with this letter, the Imperial Prince Tschun Tsai-fong, at the head of a special mission. Prince Tschun, who is our own brother, will assure Your Majesty how deeply the events of the past year have grieved us and how deeply the feeling of penitence and shame still animate us. Your Majesty sent your troops from a far distance to put down the Boxer rebellion and restore peace and the welfare of our nation. We have, therefore, commanded Prince Tschun to express personally to Your Majesty our thanks for your efforts in promoting peace. "We cherish the hope that Your Majesty's indignation has given place to the old feelings of friendship. That the relations between our Empires may be of an even more extensive, intimate, and beneficial character than hitherto is our firm assurance." Prince Tschun, in delivering the letter, spoke in the following terms: "By order of the Great Emperor, my most gracious lord and master, I have the honor to deliver His Majesty's letter into Your Majesty's Imperial hands. After the rebellious movement in China in the past year, the Imperial court felt spontaneously no less than on the demand of the powers the obligation of expressing, by a special mission, its sincere regret at these events, and especially in the case of which Your Majesty's excellent minister, Baron von Ketteler, fell a victim. "In order to place the sincerity of this regret beyond all doubt His Majesty the Emperor designated a very near blood relation for the mission. I am in a position to assure Your Majesty that the Emperor, my most gracious master, stood aloof from these complications, which brought the great misfortune upon China and loss and care upon Germany, in the fullest sense of the words. Nevertheless, in accordance with customs existing for thousands of years, the Emperor of China has taken the blame for it upon his own sacred person. I have, therefore, the task of expressing to Your Majesty the most cordial feelings of the Emperor, my illustrious master, toward Your Majesty. In handing to you this letter, I am also charged to be the interpreter of this feeling of the Great Emperor of China toward Her Majesty the Empress, and the whole of the Imperial family, and to express the wish that Your Majesty's house may flourish and enjoy health, happiness, and blessings in the fullest measure. His Majesty the Emperor of China hopes that the events of the past year were only a passing shadow, and that after the clouds have dispersed, the brightness |
