Chargé Coolidge to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, March 9,
1905.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of Department instruction of January 24b inclosing copies of a print of
a recent correspondence between the Russian ambassador at Washington and
the Secretary of State, as well as the instructions sent to the American
minister at Peking regarding the observance of neutrality by China and
the reply of the Chinese Government.
In compliance, this correspondence has been communicated to the
Government of China, as shown by the inclosures herewith.
I have, etc.,
[Page 139]
[Inclosure 1.]
Chargé Coolidge
to Prince Ch’ing.
American Legation,
Peking, March 6,
1905.
Your Imperial Highness: I have the honor to
state that I have this day received from the Department of State a
print of a recent correspondence between the Russian ambassador at
Washington and the Secretary of State, concerning the observance of
neutrality by China in the present war, together with the
instructions sent to the American minister at Peking on the subject
and the reply of the Chinese Government.
Having been instructed to transmit a copy of the same to your
imperial highnesses government, I have the honor to inclose one
herein, and at the same time I take the opportunity to renew,
etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Prince Ch’ing to
Chargé Coolidge.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 7th instant of
your excellency’s dispatch stating that you had received a letter
from the Secretary of State directing you to send me a copy of the
recent correspondence between the Russian ambassador at Washington
and the Secretary of State, concerning the observance of neutrality
by China in the present war, together with the instructions sent to
the American minister at Peking on the subject and the reply of the
Chinese Government.
In this matter of looking out for the general interest your honorable
government is controlled by a motive of justice and China is enabled
to maintain strictly her neutrality, besides receiving the
opportunity to make a clear statement of all the facts in the case.
We, prince and ministers, are indeed grateful and will remember the
favor.
I have the honor to state that the copy of the correspondence which
you inclosed has been put upon record, and this reply is sent to
your excellency with the request that you will transmit the
information to the Secretary of State and extend to him our
thanks.
A necessary dispatch.
XXXI year, 2d moon, 6th day (March 11,
1905).
[seal.]
