493.11/961
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Schurman)
Sir: With reference to the Legation’s telegram No. 40 of January 21, 2 p.m., concerning the proposed remission of the Boxer Indemnity, [Page 554] there is enclosed herewith, for the information of the Legation, a copy of the “Hearings before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, on H. J. Res. 201”,84 which provides for the remission of the balance of the Indemnity.
Your views with respect to the advisability of such action at the present time received most careful consideration. The legislative aspect of the situation, however, was such as seemed to present the immediate alternatives of supporting the Resolution at the present time, and opposing its passage—a course which appeared likely to defeat entirely the policy of remission. While fully appreciating the force of your views as to the danger of misconstruction which might be placed by the Chinese upon such action by this Government at the present time, I therefore deemed it preferable to give my support to the Resolution, and instructed the Chief of the Far Eastern Division to appear before the House Committee for this purpose.
I am [etc.]
- 68th Cong., 1st sess.; not printed.↩