SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and a translation of a note received from the minister for foreign affairs relative to the establishment of foreign consuls at Dalny. In proceeding to the administrative organization of the territory of Quantoun ceded in usufruct by China to Russia (cédé en usufruit par la Chine à la Russie), the Imperial Government has been considering the question of the establishment of foreign consuls at Dalny (Talienwan). The Imperial Government has decided to admit the presence of consular representatives of the powers in the said town on the following conditions: The exequatur required as a condition precedent to entry upon official duties by such representatives is to be asked for, in the usual way, through the channel of the ministry for foreign affairs at St. Petersburg. The sphere of official activity of these representatives covers all the territory of Quantoun, with the exception of Port Arthur and the other fortified places which will be indicated by the local military authorities. Inasmuch as Russian legislation is in force in the above-mentioned territory and Russian courts are sitting, foreign consuls at Dalny will enjoy only such rights and prerogatives as are accorded to them throughout the Russian Empire. In order to insure good administering of official business these consuls will treat directly with the administrative authorities of the territory on all questions within their jurisdiction. No consular representative of the powers other than the one established at Dalny will be recognized as competent to take charge of his country's interests in the above-mentioned territory. (Mr. Hay directs Mr. McCormick to discreetly ascertain the meaning of the first two sections of the proposed Russian-Chinese conven tion; and states that the one forbidding the establishment of treaty ports and consulates, and the other excluding all foreigners, except Russians, from employment in the Chinese service, are in opposition to the plans communicated by the United States Government to the Russian Government, and seem injurious to the legitimate interests of the United States.) Mr. McCormick to Mr. Ilay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, (Mr. McCormick reports that the Russian minister for foreign affairs categorically denies knowledge of, and disclaims proposed convention between Russia and China, especially the sections referred to in Mr. Hay's telegram of April 25. The minister assures Mr. McCormick that the Russian Government has no intention to exclude other countries from the advantages now enjoyed in Manchuria or to confer monopolies upon Russians; that the United States may be assured that nothing will be done to close the door now open, and that American commerce and American capital are those that Russia most desires to interest.) No. 37.] Mr. McCormick to Mr. Hay. AMERICAN EMBASSY, St. Petersburg, April 29, 1903. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram of the 25th instant, instructing me to ascertain the meaning of the first two sections of a proposed Russo-Chinese convention, the one forbidding the establishment of treaty ports and consulates, and the other excluding all foreigners, except Russians, from employment in Chinese service, and to confirm my cablegraphic reply of this date. In accordance with my cablegram above alluded to, Count Lamsdorff denied categorically all knowledge of and disclaimed the alleged, as he termed it, proposed convention between Russia and China, especially the two sections referred to in your cablegram-the one forbidding the establishment of treaty ports and consulates, and the other excluding all foreigners from employment in Chinese service. His excellency said that the intentions of the Russian Government were exactly the same as they were fourteen months ago; that there had never been any thought of a Russo-Chinese convention excluding other countries from a participation in the advantages they enjoy at present in Manchuria or conferring monopolies upon Russians. He added that, while it must be distinctly understood that Russia admitted no protest on the subject from any power, as two independent nations were at liberty to treat as it suited them without intervention of a third power, he was happy to respond with perfect frankness to a question frankly put by the representative of such a friendly power as America, although confessing that he was somewhat hurt that the only expression of doubt should come from America. To this expression of feeling I responded that it was because we were such a friendly power that we could be frank, and that I was satisfied with his assurances. He added that the United States Government could rest assured that nothing would ever be done to close the door now open in Manchuria, and that American commerce and American capital were, of all other countries, the one Russia most desired to attract for the benefit of her Eastern Chinese Railway, which would be rendered more profitable by the opening up of the tributary territory. He said, however, that the question of final evacuation involved certain details, including among other things the protection of this railway and the interests which it involved-questions which did not concern any other power and were matters of detail. I did not deem it wise or necessary to ask for particulars, which were not volunteered, especially as Count Lamsdorff had been so positive and had spoken with so much earnestness on the two points which it was my object to have cleared up. (Mr. Hay states that the treaty negotiations between the United States and China are substantially terminated, with the exception of the question of localities to be opened to trade in Manchuria; that the Chinese Government still claims that it is prevented from agreeing to this by Russian opposition, although the United States minister at Peking informed the Chinese Government that this is untrue, and has asked the Russian minister at Peking to confirm to the Chinese foreign office Russia's desire that the demand of the United States be complied with. Mr. McCormick is directed to ascertain from the Russian minister for foreign affairs if the Russian minister at Peking has been instructed in line with the above, and if not, Mr. McCormick is to urge prompt action in the desired direction.) Mr. Riddle to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, (Mr. Riddle reports that the Russian minister for foreign affairs requests that the minister of the United States to China communicate to the Russian minister to China the demands of the United States relative to localities to be opened to trade, and promises that the minister of Russia will be authorized to reply frankly to the minister of the United States and the Chinese Government what the attitude of the Russian Government is. The minister for foreign affairs states to Mr. Riddle that because of the distance, and without knowing what localities are meant, he can not blindly commit himself, as he admits there are some ports whose opening Russia would not favor before the Russian evacuation of Manchuria under satisfactory guaranties is completed. A frank interchange of views between the two ministers at Peking is recommended by the minister for foreign affairs.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Riddle. [Telegram.-Paraphase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, (Mr. Hay states that the United States minister to China was instructed, in accordance with the wishes of the Russian minister for foreign affairs, as expressed in Mr. Riddle's telegram of June 15, and duly communicated with the Russian minister at Peking and was told by him that he had no instructions except to await discussion of the question at Washington, and could make no statement to the Chinese Government nor to anyone concerning Russia's attitude. Mr. Hay states that the above is not true as regards Washington, as the Russian ambassador at that capital is without instructions. Mr. Riddle is directed not to bring the subject up, but to make a statement as outlined above if questioned by the minister for foreign affairs.) [Translation.] IMPERIAL RUSSIAN EMBASSY, Washington, July 1/14, 1903. (Handed to the Secretary of State July 14, 1903.) Pro memoria. The Imperial Government declares that whatever may be the outcome of the negotiations actually in progress between Russia and the Celestial Empire, which have for their only purpose the obtaining of guaranties for the essential interests of Russia in the province. occupied by their forces, it has never entered into its views to oppose the opening to foreign commerce by China in the course of the development of its commercial relations of certain cities in Manchuria so long as foreign settlements are not established. The above declaration does not concern Kharbin, a city situated in the zone allotted to the eastern line of the Chinese railway system, and which is consequently not found in the sphere of the entire and uncontrolled jurisdiction of the Chinese Government. Foreign consuls will not be admitted in this city unless the Imperial Government deems it opportune. OUTRAGES PERPETRATED ON JEWS IN RUSSIA. Mr. Hay to Mr. McCormick. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, (Mr. Hay states that it is persistently reported upon what appears to be adequate authority that there is great want and suffering among the Jews in Kishenef, and that their friends in the United States desire to know if financial aid and supplies would be permitted to reach the sufferers. Mr. McCormick is instructed to obtain the desired information without discussing the political phase of the situation.) Mr. McCormick to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, (Mr. McCormick reports that it is authoritatively denied that there is any want or suffering among the Jews in southwestern Russia, and that aid of any kind is unnecessary; that while the offer is appreciated in the spirit in which it was made, it is gratefully declined.) Mr. McCormick to Mr. Hay. AMERICAN EMBASSY, St. Petersburg, May 13, 1903. SIR: Referring to your cablegraphic instruction in the matter of alleged famine conditions among the Jews in Kishenev, I have the honor to inclose herewith a cutting from the London Standard of May which will throw some light on the subject of that 1. * * * instruction. I have, etc., [Inclosure.] ROBERT S. MCCORMICK. [From The London Standard, Friday, May 1, 1903.] KISHENEF, April 24, 1903. When I arrived here late last evening, the Bessarabian capital presented all the appearance of a city suddenly evacuated by its inhabitants and committed to the charge of the military. At 11 p. m. not a civilian was to be seen in the streets, but the alternating patrols of infantry and cavalry were met with at intervals of a few hundred yards. Under the terror of the last few days, people of all classes and conditions carefully shutter and bar their windows after nightfall. On crossing the municipal boundary, my coachman was halted by a police inspector, to whom he handed a ticket received at the railway station, showing whence he brought his fare. In the hotel vestibule I find another inspector of police questioning a group of young and middle-aged men, all apparently Jews and refugee guests, who have temporarily deserted their houses for the greater security of the police-guarded hotel. In the cross corridors of the bel-étage I pass two other police inspectors similarly engaged |