Mr. Root to Mr. Russell (telegram). Oct. 18 Mr. Russell to Mr. Root (telegram). Oct. 20 24 Same to same 19 Mr. Root to Mr. Russell.... Nov. 10 28 Mr. Russell to Mr. Root.... Nov. 12 22 Relations between Colombia and Venezuela. Rights of the New York and Bermudez Company. Same subject. Reports that the Bermudez Com- 1030 989 1035 989 989 Same subject. Confirms in detail above tele- 990 1000 Settlement of pending questions. Expresses Same subject. Asks further instructions....... Suit against the Bermudez Company. Reports Same subject. Instructs him to urge upon the Relations between Colombia and Venezuela. Mr. Root to Mr. Russell.... Nov. 28 Same subject. The occasion seems to be propi tious for discreet compliance with Depart- Same subject. Reports renewal of diplomatic 1001 101 1002 1036 1036 1036 CORRESPONDENCE. CIRCULARS. TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF CHINA. [Circular Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 13, 1905. To the American Ambassadors to Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Portugal. It has come to our knowledge that apprehension exists on the part of some of the powers that in the eventual negotiations for peace between Russia and Japan claim may be made for the concession of Chinese territory to neutral powers. The President would be loath to share this apprehension, believing that the introduction of extraneous interests would seriously embarrass and postpone the settlement of the issues involved in the present contest in the Far East, thus making more remote the attainment of that peace which is so earnestly to be desired. For its part, the United States has repeatedly made its position well known, and has been gratified at the cordial welcome accorded to its efforts to strengthen and perpetuate the broad policy of maintaining the integrity of China and the "open door" in the Orient, whereby equality of commercial opportunity and access shall be enjoyed by all nations. Holding these views the United States disclaims any thought of reserved territorial rights or control in the Chinese Empire, and it is deemed fitting to make this purpose frankly known and to remove all apprehension on this score so far as concerns the policy of this nation, which maintains so considerable a share of the Pacific commerce of China and which holds such important possessions in the western Pacific, almost at the gateway of China. You will bring this matter to the notice of the government to which you are accredited, and you will invite the expression of its views thereon No. 208.] Ambassador Storer to the Secretary of State. JOHN HAY. AMERICAN EMBASSY, Vienna, January 24, 1905. SIR: I have the honor to report that I have this morning received the written answer of the Austro-Hungarian Government from the ministry of foreign affairs to the expressions of views and intentions of FR 1905-1 1 the American Government regarding the integrity of China, which was received by telegram of 13th of January, 1905, and has been already acknowledged. I beg to inclose a copy and a translation of this note of the ministry of foreign affairs. * * [Inclosure.-Translation.] The Minister of Foreign Affairs to Ambassador Storer. IMPERIAL AND ROYAL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, The undersigned minister of foreign affairs has the honor to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of the note of January 17, 1905, in which the standpoint of the Government of the United States of America regarding the perpetuity of the integrity of China and policy of the open door in the Far East was set forth and the wish to learn the views of the Imperial and Royal Government on this subject was expressed. It gives gratification to the undersigned to state that the Imperial and Royal Government, in conformity with the views of the Government of the United States of America, has always had in mind both of these objects, the perpetuation of the integrity of China and policy of the open door in the Far East, and intends to observe this attitude also in future. The undersigned, etc., No. 247.] Minister Townsend to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN LEGATION, Brussels, January 30, 1905. SIR: Referring to Department's cable of 13th instant, I have the honor to inform the Department that, in conformity with instructions, I immediately communicated verbally to the minister for foreign affairs the views of the United States Government and invited an expression of opinion. In addition to the verbal communication, I embraced in a note to the minister the contents of the cable clearly setting forth the position and policy of the United States in regard to the integrity of China, and requested an exchange of views. I am now in receipt of a reply from the minister for foreign affairs, a copy and translation of which is herewith transmitted, expressing the satisfaction with which the Belgian Government has received the views of the United States, and that, so far as is within the limits of its interest in China, the Belgian Government is entirely in accord therewith. I have, etc., LAWRENCE TOWNSEND. [Inclosure.-Translation.] The Minister of Foreign Affairs to Minister Townsend. MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR. MINISTER: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter that your excellency has been good enough to address to me to inform me that in view of the peace negotiations between Russia and Japan the Government of the United States disclaims any thought of reserved territorial rights or control in the Chinese Empire, and deems it fitting to make its intentions known in order to remove all apprehensions which might have arisen in this regard. The Government of the King has received with satisfaction your excellency's communication, as within the limits of its interest in Chinese affairs it is fully in accord with the views thus expressed. Í avail myself of this opportunity, Mr. Minister, etc., Ambassador Porter to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DE FAVEREAU. AMERICAN EMBASSY, Paris, January 18, 1905. (Mr. Porter reports that the minister for foreign affairs fully concurs in the propositions contained in Department's telegram of the 13th instant, and that France desires no concession of territory in China.) No. 588.] Ambassador Tower to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN EMBASSY, Berlin, January 20, 1905. SIR: I have the honor to inclose to you herewith a copy and a translation into English of a note, dated the 18th of January, 1905, which I have received to-day from the Imperial German Chancellor, Count von Bülow, in reply to my note of January 14, in which I communicated to him the contents of your cipher dispatch addressed to me on the 13th of January, in relation to the integrity of China. As this note of the chancellor contains a very important statement as to the position of the Imperial German Government, I have sent you the substance of it in a cipher telegram this morning. I have, etc., * * * CHARLEMAGNE TOWER. [Inclosure.-Translation.] The German Chancellor to Ambassador Tower. BERLIN, January 18, 1905. MR. AMBASSADOR: I have had the honor of receiving your communication of the 14th of January, 1905, in which you were good enough to set forth the position of your Government in regard to certain questions raised by the present war between Russia and Japan. I am extremely gratified to learn by it that the President and the Government of the United States of America intend to continue to assist in the maintenance and strengthening of the policy of the integrity of China and the open door in the Far East for the benefit of the free commercial intercourse of all nations and that they have no thought of acquiring territorial rights in the Chinese Empire. This view corresponds entirely with that of the German Government, which has repeatedly declared its adherence to the principles of the integrity of China and the open door in the Far East. Its purpose is absolutely to stand by its former declarations. Germany's position is defined in the Anglo-German agreement of the 16th of October, 1900, which was communicated at that time to all the powers interested and accepted by them. In this agreement the Imperial Government has bound itself to support the principle of the open door in China wherever its influence may be felt. It is therefore scarcely necessary to add that the Imperial Government does not seek for itself any further acquisition of territory in China. I avail, etc., BÜLOW. |