Mr. Hay to Mr. White.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

(Mr. Hay states that the Russian ambassador has given notice to the Department that correspondents comunicating war news by wireless telegraph off the coast of Kwantung or within the zone of operations of the Russian fleet will be treated as spies, and that vessels with such apparatus will be seized. In taking note of this declaration the Department adds that the United States Government does not waive any right it may have in international law should any American citizen be arrested or any American vessel be seized.)