August, and they should leave the port promptly at noon of the 28th August, when the tide comes in. We have written to the Russian minister at Peking and instruct you to inform the consuls. Besides sending a dispatch to the Russian and British consuls-general, that they may instruct these war vessels and inform Messrs. Farnham, Boyd & Co. as to the extension of time and to push the repairs to the extent of making the ships seaworthy, and that the work on them must be finished by the 27th of August and leave port before noon of the 28th of August, I send this dispatch to you, the honorable consul-general, that you may take note of it and inform the consular body, that action may be taken accordingly. Dated 14th day of 7th moon, 30th year Kuanghsü (August 24, 1904). [Inclosure 5.-Translation.] Yuan Taotai to Senior Consul Goodnow. On the 14th day of the 7th moon (August 24, 1904) I received a dispatch from the Russian consul-general to the effect that he had received a dispatch from the admiral in command of the war ships in Shanghai, informing him that by Imperial ukase the cruiser Askold and the torpedo-boat destroyer Grosovoi are to be disarmed. It is accordingly decided that at 7 o'clock p. m., August 24, the two ships are to take down their flags, when disarmament is to begin and the soldiers are to be removed therefrom. With regard to repairs, instructions were received from the minister of the admiralty that they should proceed as before, and that the local Chinese authorities be informed on the point and consulted as to the details of disarming. As to the sailors on these two boats, part of them are at once to be sent home, as was done in the case of the Mandjur. The Russian consul-general therefore asks me at once to take steps for the protection of these two boats and intimates that from the time their flags are taken down and the soldiers removed the safe-keeping of the two ships and the responsibility therefor will entirely rest with the Chinese Government. The consul-general asks me to inform the commissioner of customs and to ask him to confer with the Russian consul-general as to the procedure in disarming the two boats. The consul-general has already wired for instructions and as soon as he receives a reply the matter can be settled. Since the Russian war ships have observed the neutrality determined on by my country, and (begin to) disarm, it is but right that China should take care of the two boats left in this port and protect them, and we will do our utmost to maintain the principles of neutrality. Besides writing to the Japanese and British consuls-general and asking the commissioner of customs to send an officer (or officers) to the Russian boats to have them properly disarmed and to have the goods stored, I send this dispatch to you, the honorable senior consul, with the request that you will take note of it and to inform the consular body, that they may act accordingly. A necessary dispatch. Dated 14th day of 7th moon, 30th year of Kuanghsii (August 24, 1904). Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. No. 1695.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, China, August 30, 1904. SIR: Continuing my No. 1692 of August 26, I inclose herewith copy of Prince Ch'ing's reply to my note of the 23d instant, and have the honor, etc., FR 1904 M- -10 E. H. CONGER. [Inclosure.] Prince Ch'ing to Mr. Conger. On the 13th day of the 7th moon, (August 23, 1904), I received a dispatch from your excellency saying that your excellency had received a cablegram from the (American) Department of State, stating that Russian warships were in Shanghai harbor in close proximity to the premises of the Standard Oil Company, and that in the event of hostilities there was grave danger to their oil warehouses, as well as to property belonging to merchants of other nationalities, and asking what rules of neutrality would be enforced in this case, as in the event of injury to American interests and property those answerable for damages will be held strictly responsible. Upon inquiry it appears that when the Russian war ships escaped from Port Arthur and entered Shanghai harbor this board at once sent a dispatch to the Russian minister resident at this capital, asking him to in turn inform the commanders of the said vessels that they must quickly execute the necessary repairs and within a prescribed period (specified) leave the harbor or at once have the munitions of war and machinery removed in accordance with the principles of international law and regulations of neutrality. We have now received a telegram from the Shanghai Taot'ai, saying that the commanders of the Russian vessels have agreed to lower their flags at 7 p. m. on August 25, which is to be considered as equivalent to disarmament. The soldiers will be withdrawn and the sailors will be sent home, in accordance with the precedent established in the case of the Mandjur, This board at once telegraphed to the said taot'ai to see that this is carried out as stated. There will be no damage to the property of the Standard Oil Company or other foreign interests there. As in duty bound, this board at once communicates this to your excellency for transmittal to the State Department. Kuang-hsil, 30th year, 7th moon, 17th sun (27th August, 1904). (Nore. For further correspondence relating to the Chefoo and Shanghai incidents, see under Japan, p. -) PROTECTION OF JAPANESE INTERESTS IN CHINA. Mr. Loomis to Mr. Conger. [Telegram. - Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 9, 1904. (Mr. Loomis instructs Mr. Conger to instruct the consul at Niuchwang to take charge of Japanese interests at the request of that Government in the event of its consul being withdrawn, if China assents thereto. The consul's duties will be confined to the use of his good offices in protecting Japanese subjects and their interests. but he will not be invested with any Japanese consular fuctions or authority.) No. 15081 Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, Oana, February 15, 1904. SIR: I have the honor to confirm your telegram received Febru The Chinese Government have readily consented, and I have sent telegraphic instructions to Consul Miller to take charge of Japanese interests in his jurisdiction in accordance with your instruction. I have, etc. E. H. CONGER Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, February 14, 1904. (Mr. Conger reports that in a telegraphic communication from Consul Miller he is informed that all Japanese people arriving at Niuchwang from the interior and trying to leave Manchuria are arrested and taken to Port Arthur. The Japanese Government is being informed by its minister here in order that the matter may be presented at St. Petersburg.) Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, February 24, 1904. (Mr. Conger reports that according to telegraphic information. the Russian authorities refuse to give information to Mr. Miller concerning Japanese subjects or permission for their representatives to have intercourse with them.) Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, April 5, 1904. (Mr. Conger reports that yesterday the American correspondents at Niuchwang were released but not their servants of Japanese nationality, who are held as prisoners of war.) Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN LEGATION, (Mr. Conger suggests that the matter of the release of the Japanese servants of Washburne and Little, refused by the Russian authorities at Niuchwang, be referred to St. Petersburg.) Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, April 28, 1904. (Mr. Conger reports the release and arrival at Chefoo to-day of the Japanese servants of Washburne and Little.) VISIT OF PRINCE PU LUN TO THE UNITED STATES. Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. No. 1529.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, China, March 5, 1904. SIR: I have the honor to inform you that His Highness Prince Pu Lun, Chinese commissioner in chief to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, left here for the United States on yesterday. He is the bearer of a special message from the Emperor of China to the President of the United States, which he informs me he will deliver before the opening of the exposition. He will spend a little time in Japan en route, but expects to arrive in the United States about April 20. I appreciate the difficulty of the Government of the United States in paying any great special attention to him at a time when so many important representatives of other countries will also be visiting the United States, but since China is just now beginning to send her young princes abroad I apprehend that public or official courtesies extended to no one will be more gratefully appreciated than by Prince Pu Lun and his Government. I have, etc., E. H. CONGER. Mr. Hay to Sir Chentung Liang-Cheng. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, MY DEAR MR. MINISTER: The President will have great pleasure in receiving His Imperial Highness Prince Pu Lun at the White House on Monday, the 25th, at half past 2. He will also detail Colonel Symous, of the United States Army, to be in attendance upon His Highness during his stay in Washington. I am, etc., No. 31.] Sir Chentung Liang-Cheng to Mr. Hay. JOHN HAY. CHINESE LEGATION, Washington, April 22, 1904. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith for your information a translation of the letter from His Majesty the Emperor of China to His Excellency the President of the United States, the original of which Prince Pu Lun will deliver to its high destination on Monday. Accept, etc., CHENTUNG LIANG-CHENG. The Emperor of China to the [Inclosure. Translation.] President of the United States of America—Greeting: From the commencement of China's friendly intercourse with the United States the relations between the two countries have been growing closer and closer every day. Now the holding at the city of St. Louis of an international exposition to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the purchase of Louisiana, the object of which is to bring together from every country on the surface of the globe its products and resources of every description for purposes of illustration and exhibition, gives us a fresh opportunity of manifesting our friendship. We have, therefore, specially appointed Pu Lun, a prince of the imperial house in the third degree, who is nearly related to us by blood, to be our commissioner to the said exposition. Our knowledge of his deep interest in commercial affairs affords us entire confidence that he will satisfactorily discharge his duties connected with China's participation in the said exposition in conformity with the rules and regulations promulgated for the purpose. We have, moreover, commanded him to proceed to your national capital for the purpose of presenting this letter and conveying to Your Excellency the assurances of our high regard. We trust that Your Excellency will kindly receive him and afford him every facility to carry out the purpose of his mission to the end that great and lasting benefits may accrue to the commerce between the two countries. Given this 18th day of the 12th moon, in the 29th year of Kwanghsü (February 3, 1904). No. 792.] Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 27, 1904. SIR: Your No. 1529, of the 5th ultimo, in regard to the visit of Prince Pu Lun to the United States, has been received. The prince arrived in Washington on the 24th instant and was received by the President on the following day. During his stay all possible attention comporting with his high station was shown him. I am, etc., Mr. Hay to Sir Chentung Liang-Cheng. JOHN HAY. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 31, 1904. MY DEAR MR. MINISTER: I send you herewith, according to the promise made to Prince Pu Lun, a letter from the President to His Majesty the Emperor of China, to be delivered by His Imperial Highness. Yours, faithfully, [Inclosure.] JOHN HAY. President Roosevelt to the Emperor of China. I have received with great satisfaction from the hands of His Imperial Highness Prince Pu Lun, Your Majesty's commissioner to the International Exposition now being held in the city of St. Louis, the letter which you were pleased to send me by him. Your Majesty expressed the hope that the friendly relations which have always existed between our respective countries may continually grow closer. This is |