The Acting Secretary of State to the Japanese minister, August 12, 1900.
Washington, August 12, 1900.
The Chinese minister in this capital has to-day officially communicated the appointment of Viceroy Li Hung Chang as envoy plenipotentiary to propose a cessation of hostile demonstrations and negotiate with the powers.
We consider that the delivery of the foreign ministers and other foreigners under their protection in Pekin from the dangers which now surround them should be regarded as a condition precedent to any general negotiations with the Chinese Government.
That it is much better to accomplish such delivery peaceably than forcibly, and that a just appreciation of the real position of China [Page 370] would necessarily lead the Chinese Government to assent to the former course.
That, after the safety of the ministers and other inmates of the legations has been secured, every reasonable effort should be made to dispose of the questions remaining between China and the several powers by negotiation, and that a general cessation of hostile demonstrations for that purpose should be allowed.
We accordingly agree fully with the proposition of Viscount Aoki that the powers should notify the Chinese Government that they will grant a cessation of hostile demonstrations for a certain term, on condition that a sufficient body of the forces composing the relief expedition shall be permitted to enter Pekin unmolested and to escort the foreign ministers and residents back to Tientsin, this movement being provided for and secured by such arrangements and dispositions of troops as shall be considered satisfactory by the generals commanding the forces composing the relief expedition.