Mr. Uhl to Mr. Tavel.
Department of State, November 13, 1894.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 5th instant, wherein you make known to this Department the request of your Government that that of the United States will agree to extend its protection to Swiss citizens in China.
The diplomatic and consular officers of the United States were instructed on the 16th of June, 1877, to use their good offices in behalf of Swiss citizens sojourning in their vicinity in the absence of diplomatic and consular representatives of the Confederation. A copy of these instructions was communicated by Mr. Fish, our then minister at Berne, on August 7, 1877, to the President of the Swiss Confederation.
As far as this Government is concerned these instructions have never been revoked, and our diplomatic and consular officers are still ready to discharge the duties which they involve.
As to the protection from violence of Swiss citizens now sojourning at treaty ports in China, the ships of war of the United States will, whenever necessity arises, grant them the same protection as they would to any other citizens or subjects of a neutral foreign power residing in the same port.
Accept, etc.,
Acting Secretary.