893.001 T 78/1: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Schurman ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:27 p.m.]
337. My 336, October 9, 5 p.m.22 Tsao Kun inaugurated today, received Chinese officials, and delivered address containing sensible observations on education, public revenues, and expenditures, military retrenchment, unification through cooperation of different leaders.
[Paraphrase.] The diplomatic corps had demanded the following assurances which were contained in the address: [End paraphrase.]
“All the friendly powers wish China well but it will not be a fitting response to their well-meant intentions if we do not fully discharge our duty of giving protection to the lives and property of their nationals in China. I shall hold all officials and officers responsible for the execution of this duty. …23 In recent years the friendly powers have rendered much assistance to China and it is for us to do our utmost in fulfilling the treaty obligations and in readjusting the foreign debts and thereby further promote the friendly relations between China and the foreign powers”.