Mr. Rockhill to Mr. Hay.
Peking, March 20, 1901.
Sir: The diplomatic corps in its meeting of this morning discussed the report of the commission appointed to consider the means deemed necessary for enforcing the provisions of Article V of the Joint Note (prohibition of arms and ammunition, etc.).
The report, after being slightly amended, was adopted ad referendum and ordered to be printed. I will transmit a copy of it to you in a few days. It simply embodies the views of the foreign representatives as to the measures they deem indispensable to be taken, if the powers agree to endeavor to prevent the introduction of arms, etc., into China. It seems to be highly improbable that any of them will be willing to accept its recommendations, as they conflict with a number of principles of international law of great importance and are impossible in execution.
The report provides for the enforcement of the prohibition for renewable terms of five years. The Japanese and Belgian ministers and myself were in favor of terms of two years, contending that it was possible that within the first term of two years conditions might be such in China that it would not be necessary to any longer prohibit the importation of arms. The Russian minister, on the contrary, wanted the term fixed at ten years.
It appearing urgent to the diplomatic corps that the question of the razing of the forts and military occupation (Articles VIII and IX of Joint Note) should be settled at an early date, it was decided that before proceeding to consider them it was imperative that each of the powers should state whether it proposed to take part in the military measures their carrying out would necessitate. Each of the representatives agreed to submit the question to his Government in the terms of my telegram to you of this date.
The German minister informed his colleagues that he had received from his Government the figure of the war indemnity it proposed [Page 112] demanding of China, and he asked if the other representatives were in possession of like data from their Governments. The representatives of France, Austria, Belgium, Holland, and myself were the only ones who had received instructions on the subject.
It was, however, agreed that it was necessary to take up without further delay the study of the financial resources of China for the payment of the indemnities, and a committee will be appointed for that purpose on the 22d instant.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,