Mr. Hill to Mr. Rockhill.
Washington, May 3, 1901.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No 36, of March 7 last, inclosing the translation of a memorandum from the Chinese plenipotentiaries to the foreign representatives setting forth their objections to the area to be used as a diplomatic quarter asked for by the latter in their note of March 1.
While the Department considers the resolution of November 6, 1900, which says: “The diplomatic body agrees that no purchase of ground from the Chinese since the commencement of the siege, in the quarter occupied by the legations, will be of any value without the consent of the foreign representatives,” as being of unusual nature, the exceptional character of the resolution is believed to be justified in view of the inconvenience that might result from permitting foreigners to speculate in land intended to be occupied by the foreign legations, taken in conjunction with the fact that Pekin is not a treaty port where foreigners may purchase land at will.
The Department has, therefore, approved the action of Mr. Conger [Page 101] reported in his No. 558, while recognizing the exceptional character of the resolution passed by the representatives of the foreign powers.
In reply to your request for instructions for your guidance in the application of the resolution, the Department would enjoin the withholding for the present of authorization of the acquisition of the land in question by private individuals.
As regards bona fide purchases made before the action taken by the foreign representatives, it may be necessary to inquire into the circumstances of such purchases, before dispossession is resorted to, if that should ultimately prove necessary.
I am, sir, etc.,
Acting Secretary.