Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Conger reports having forwarded by mail a correct translation of the note of the Russian chargé d'affaires to Prince Ch'ing, containing substantially the demands mentioned in Mr. Conger's telegram of April 23, to which the chargé d'affaires says in his note China must agree, and then further evacuation will follow.) No. 1284.] Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, May 4, 1903. SIR: I have the honor to confirm recent telegraphic correspondence between the Department and this legation concerning the Russians in Manchuria, and, as promised in my telegram of yesterday, I am inclosing herewith for such use as, in view of the denial of the Russian minister for foreign affairs, you may deem best a copy, with translation, of the original note sent on the 18th ultimo to Prince Ch'ing by the Russian chargé d'affaires here. You will observe that this note contains substantially all the demands named in my telegram, and consequently when the minister for foreign affairs at St. Petersburg informed you that the reports were "wholly untrue" he could not have been fully informed of what his chargé d'affaires was doing at Peking. You will also observe that in this note Russia makes the acceptance of these demands by China the condition on which she will withdraw her troops. Telegrams from St. Petersburg, via London, announce that the Russian minister, Mr. Lessar, is starting for his post, Peking, and as he is more familiar with the situation than the chargé d'affaires, the whole matter is to be left for him to adjust on his arrival here. It is fair to presume, therefore, that affairs will practically remain in statu quo until this shall reach you. I have, as directed in your telegram of the 29th ultimo, confidentially communicated to the Chinese Government the statement of the Russian minister for foreign affairs. I have, etc., E. H. CONGER. [Inclosure.-Translation.] From the original Russian note sent by Mr. de Plançon to Prince Ch'ing. Plançon, councillor of state, chargé d'affaires of the great Russian Empire, to Ch'ing, prince of the first rank, prime minister of the Ta Ching Empire, and to the dignitaries of the ministry of foreign affairs, a communication: By command of the Imperial Government I have the honor to make to you, honored prince and ministers, the following communication: Russia and China have for more than two hundred years had with each other relations that have been always distinguished by their very friendly character, and this very naturally. Two neighboring people having a common frontier more than he pacification of this country and for the restoration in quite apart from the millions that have been expended railway for the common benefit of all nations. Other on the pacification of Manchuria a single ruble or a n, therefore, full just that Russia should have the right ught at so high a price, in that country without evoking All foreigners have profited by the tranquillity estabthe roads opened up in it, and with this they ought, in bering that only a few years ago access into Manchuria enditure of treasure and military force in the pacificaad, habitually unite it to their own dominions by right ot wish to profit by that right, and precisely as in 1881 nd last year the southwestern portion of the Mukden y to fulfill her engagements and to return to China not of the Mukden Province and Kirin, but also the port eceives full assurance that after the departure of the of Russia in these adjacent territories will be disturbed er states. us assured the Chinese Government must give to Russia ories, in particular Niuchwang and localities on the Liao to another power, whether by way of cession, lease, con1. An attempt at such a transfer Russia would regard ection of her interests would have recourse to the most at present existing in Mongolia shall not be disturbed, will inevitably produce commotions amongst the people f affairs along our frontier will entail very serious and nment will not take a decision with regard to the openew places in Manchuria and of the admission to them of mmunication with the imperial administration. ve recourse to inviting foreigners for the management inistration, the authority of such foreigners shall not n China, where Russian interests predominate. In such be allotted to entirely separate departments and their to Russians; thus, for instance, if a foreign adviser is his advice will not extend to the mining affairs of Monhich there will in such case be appointed a Russian r own control the existing telegraph line between Port den for the whole term of the existence of the Pekinghe above-mentioned line serves as an indispensable Niuchwang to the Chinese administration, the Russo, as at present, to fulfill the functions of the customs I that all rights acquired in Manchuria by Russian subing the occupation shall remain in full force after the with the protection of the health and lives of the numeres traversed by the railway. Opening free access for and of merchandise, the railway may with equal ease o the north of infectious diseases, if there is not estabhat is, at Ying-kou, a sound sanitary organization and a ce of epidemic diseases. Last year the greed of a captain customs commissioner and doctor, caused the carrying of an epidemic cholera, from which there died many thouand Chinese. istration of Niuchwang to China, the Russian Governsanitary organization established there by the Russian administration shall be preserved and that the local authorities shall always be prepared for the struggle with epidemics. To this end it is indispensable that the commissioner of customs and the customs doctor should be Russian subjects, subordinate to the Chinese customs administration. This subordination fully secures the proper discharge of their direct obligations and the maintenance of Chinese customs interests; but, as Russians, they will have an interest in the work of protecting the Russian dominions from the introduction of epidemics, which can not be expected from foreigners of another nationality. For the management of sanitary affairs there will be established a permanent commission, the president of which will be the taotai and the members of it all the consuls stationed at Ying-kou, the before-mentioned commissioner of customs, the customs doctor, a medical bacteriological expert, and the representative of the Chinese Eastern Railway. For the settlement of the details of the organization and the functions of the commission, the taotai will consult with the Russian consul, who has great experience in these matters. The means for the sanitary work and for the struggle with epidemics shall be found by the taotai. This will present no difficulty if the existing assessment of the local merchants is retained, permission for which shall be given to the taotai from Peking. Such, honored prince and ministers, are the conditions in presence of which the Russian Government will be convinced that its political interests and also the interests of the health and lives of a large population will be safeguarded in a fitting manner. As soon as your highness and your excellencies reply with an official note, in which in the name of His Majesty the Bogdo Khan (Emperor of China) is expressed assent to the requests of Russia that have been set forth, the Russian troops will be withdrawn from the Mukden province and from Kirin, and the civil administration of Newchwang will be transferred to the governor of the town, the Chinese taotai. In the event of there being any doubts as to the interpretation of the present note, the Russian text of it shall be considered authoritative. G. PLANÇON, Chargé d'Affaires, State Councilor. [Seal of the Imperial Russian Legation at Peking.] N. B.-The seal is the same as that used for the visé of passports by the Rusian legation. No. 35. April 5, 1903. (N. B.-The date, new style, would be April 18.) Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, May 7, 1903. (Mr. Conger reports that the Russian chargé d'affaires is still insisting with the Chinese Government that no Manchurian ports shall be opened, saying that it would be considered by Russia as a serious affront; that therefore the Chinese dare not include them in treaty.) · No. 1288.] Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, May 7, 1903. SIR: Giving further information on the Manchurian situation, I inclose copy of a dispatch and inclosure just received from our consul at Niuchwang, although Mr. Miller informs me that he sends copies of his dispatches to you. The place spoken of selected as a drill ground is on the opposite side of the river from Niuchwang, the Russian railway, and the Russian [Inclosure 1.] Mr. Miller to Mr. Conger. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, nclosed notice that I found posted in the native city. HENRY B. MILLER, [Subinclosure.-Translation.] at I have received a letter from the General Chu of the been informed by the Civil Administrator Grosse that and over the north bank of the river for the purpose of ssian gunboat, and asking to inform you people of Yin ole of the place to look after this and also to inform you you see the sailors landing they are only for drilling, tion, and you people and soldiers should attend to your MAGISTRATE OF KWANG-NING, Acting for Hai-cheng District. Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 16, 1903. e the receipt of your No. 1252, of the 31st of y that the present situation of affairs in Manation of the Chinese Government to discuss at opening new localities to foreign trade in China ssity of replying to your dispatch by cable, as ted as the most desirable locality to ask for as reaty commissioners of the United States at his Government insisted upon this locality nmissioners telegraphed the Department that ent had also asked that it should be made a since heard that the Japanese ask for Ta-tung ne Yalu, and you now advise that it be selected ady to accept your views, which it now learns 3. Goodnow and Seaman, but it desires that the ssioners should be consulted and, if possible, ned before presenting the matter to the Chi report to the Department their views and the steps they are taking or propose taking to bring about the opening of Harbin. I am, etc., Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] JOHN HAY. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, (Mr. Hay directs Mr. Conger, in view of conflicting statements of Chinese about opening new localities in Manchuria to foreign trade, to obtain from the Chinese Government a written statement of its objections to complying with the request of the United States and of what it proposes instead.) Har knowledges sts him to reply t el asserted right t ere she sees fit, this most reasonable req merce of the wor suggests; that Ch conditions in M if China will not doing it proprio ger is directed t al surprise its unwi in the United States Mr. Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, (Mr. Hay instructs Mr. Conger to see the Russian minister immediately on his arrival at Peking, to tell him that the Russian Government have assured us that they are not opposing our proposition of open ports and consulates in Manchuria, and to ask his cooperation with the Chinese Government for these objects.) Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, I are the honor to c ply of the 28th. Ching, because of een on leave and i I have had a co retary of the fo practically speaks f and in the name of ng, and would herse speaking for the be satisfied with th too plainly in writ copies of the corr (Acknowledging Mr. Hay's telegram of the 18th instant, Mr. Conger reports that the Chinese Government state in a note which he is forwarding by mail: Recently we have received a dispatch from the Russian chargé d'affaires saying if China does not first notify our Government it must not make arrangements to open any new ports for trade in Manchuria, nor permit the establishment of foreign consulates at new ports. We refused to discuss the matter. Later Plançon called to inquire, and we replied that should it become necessary at any future time to open ports for international trade in Manchuria it would rest with China, as circumstances might require, to investigate conditions and herself open them. Now we have the statement of your excellency, but the Chinese Government is still obliged to consider commercial conditions and herself open such ports. At the present it is not convenient to mention the matter in the commercial treaty. This is not by any means an absolute refusal of the request of your country. Thare, etc., Mr. Co In view of the the importance of lar, requires the op sistence that these oners of our two G to the reasons wh at present, I have r highness to infor |