INSTRUCTION SENT MUTATIS MUTANDIS TO THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADORS AT LONDON, PARIS, BERLIN, ST. PETERSBURG, AND ROME, AND TO THE UNITED STATES MINISTER AT TOKYO. SIR: The DEPARTMENT OF STATE, the Washington, March 20, 1900. Government having accepted the declaration suggested by the United States concerning foreign trade in China, terms of which I transmitted to you in my instruction No. of and like action having been taken by all the various Powers having leased territory or so-called "spheres of interest" in the Chinese Empire, as shown by the notes which I herewith transmit to you," you will please inform the Government to which you are accredited that the condition originally attached to its acceptance-that all other Powers concerned should likewise accept the proposals of the United States-having been complied with, this Government will therefore consider the assent given to it by as final and definitive. You will also transmit to the Minister for Foreign Affairs copies of the present enclosures, and by the same occasion convey to him the expression of the sincere gratification which the President feels at the successful termination of these negotiations, in which he sees proof of the friendly spirit which animates the various Powers interested in the untrammeled development of commerce and industry in the Chinese Empire, and a source of vast benefit to the whole commercial world. I am, etc., JOHN HAY. a All printed ante. No. 29. RUSSIA. ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN TSENG CHI, TARTAR GENERAL OF MUKDEN AND ADMIRAL ALEXEIEFF, COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF KUANTUNG PENINSULA AND OF THE RUSSIAN NAVAL AND MILITARY FORCES IN THE PACIFIC. SIGNED AT PORT ARTHUR, JANUARY 30, 1901.a [Translation.] 1. All official residences in Mukden to be handed back to the Chinese officials who will act in accordance with the terms arranged. 2. Chinese officials to be allowed to go to their posts in all those towns taken by the Russians. They may establish police forces; in large places to the number of 500 men, in medium sized places 300 men, in others 200. These police may carry arms but must be provided with distinguishing badges stamped by the Russian and Chinese authorities. 3. Robbers and rebels taken by Russian police to be handed over to the local officials to be dealt with by Russian and Chinese law (sic.) 4. The Newchwang customs duties and likin to be collected temporarily by Russians and the Imperial commands awaited as to the application of such funds after a treaty has been signed between Russia and China. All other sources of revenue are to be under the control of the Tartar General. 5. The western roads of the province are at present disturbed and unsafe. Russian troops to be withdrawn from those parts so that traffic may be resumed. Newchwang being now closed by ice, the products of the southern roads, tobacco, hemp, beans and grain have no exit. The rail by Port Arthur can be used for their transport. 6. Russia may establish a Resident at Mukden and two Deputies for international business, who will transact such business in conjunction with the Chinese Deputies. 7. The duty of the Taotai of Newchwang is to control the customs. The Russian authorities are at present collecting the revenue of the Foreign Customs House. The Tartar General may order the Taotai to return and act in cooperation with them. 8. The disbanded Chinese troops for the most part took their weapons with them in their flight. The Russian military authorities "The original Convention bears date November 11, 1900. need not send to search them out. The Tartar General will despatch officials in all directions to find them and so obviate any alarm to the populace. 9. The Tartar General has no plenipotentiary powers. The result of the negotiations of Prince Ch'ing and Grand Secretary Li Hungchang must be awaited. Russia is desirous of a lasting peace. 10. The Tartar General Tseng Chi is to remain for four years in office in this province to reorganize public affairs after the late disturbances. No. 30. FRANCE-RUSSIA. THE FRANCO-RUSSIAN DECLARATION. a MARCH 3 (16), 1902. [Translation.] The allied Governments of Russia and France have received a copy of the Anglo-Japanese Agreement of the 30th January 1902,' concluded with the object of maintaining the status quo and the general peace in the Far East, and preserving the independence of China and Korea, which are to remain open to the commerce and industry of all nations, and have been fully satisfied to find therein affirmed the fundamental principles which they have themselves, on several occasions, declared to form the basis of their policy, and which still remain so. The two Governments consider that the observance of these principles is at the same time a guarantee of their special interests in the Far East. Nevertheless, being obliged themselves also to take into consideration the case in which either the aggressive action of third Powers, or the recurrence of disturbances in China, jeopardizing the integrity and free development of that Power, might become a menace to their own interests, the two allied Governments reserve to themselves the right to consult in that contingency as to the means to be adopted for securing those interests. ST. PETERSBURG, March 3 (16), 1902. a British Parliamentary Blue Book-China, No. 2 (1904), p. 37. 203 |