893.00/3346a
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in China (Tenney)
Sir: The Department has observed with some feeling of embarrassment the fact that Americans in China are being accused of interfering in political questions in that country. While the Department believes that Americans have, as a general rule, been fairly careful as to their conduct under the rather trying circumstances which have occasionally existed, some little color has been given to such reports through facts which have come to the attention of the Department recently, relative to the circulation of requests for resolutions by American organizations in China dealing with questions of a political nature which concern only the Chinese Government and the Government of the United States.
The Department believes that the Legation should take an early opportunity of bringing to the attention of Americans in China, the desirability of carefully refraining from any acts or statements which might be interpreted as an interference either in the internal politics of the country, which they have chosen as their residence, or political questions of an international character. To that end there is enclosed herewith a copy of a circular which was used by Minister John M. B. Sill at Seoul, Korea, setting forth the attitude of this Government on such matters.50 It is suggested that the contents of this circular be communicated to American residents in China through the various Consular offices. The circular might be mimeographed and sufficient copies sent to each Consular office, thus enabling it to forward copies to individual Americans living within the several districts. Copies of the circular might also be posted on the bulletin boards of the various Consular offices.
I am [etc.]
- See circular of May 11, 1897, vol. ii, p. 459.↩