Mr. Rockhill to Mr. Hay.
Peking, March 19, 1901.
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram to you of this date.
It was written after a conversation with General Chaffee, in which he told me that he had received orders to begin withdrawing his troops from China, except one company to be left as a legation guard, by the end of April.
In the present state of negotiations, when the question of the evacuation of Peking and the adjacent country, the occupation of the lines of communication with the sea, the razing of the forts, the defense of the proposed legation quarter, and a number of other important questions are still unsettled, though within appreciable distance of settlement, the withdrawal of all our forces would unquestionably place us in any discussion on these points in a position of great disadvantage with the other powers having large forces here—we would practically have no voice whatever in these matters.
Furthermore, the powers with many troops would thereby acquire still further influence by taking over the part of the city now under [Page 111] our control, and be able to exercise as they might see fit pressure on the Chinese Government to obtain their particular ends.
With even a small force of American troops here we can exercise a constant and salutary pressure on the other powers in the interest of the prompt reestablishment of order and the return of the administration of this province to China; without them we will be able to do but little.
The administration of the quarters of Peking under American control has been excellent and gives satisfaction to foreigners and Chinese alike.
I submitted the above considerations to General Chaffee and a number of other arguments along the same line in favor of maintaining here for at least the next few months a considerable force of our troops. I have also shown the general a copy of the telegram sent you to-day.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,