Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1903

Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

Legation of the United States,
Peking, July 1, 1903.

(Mr. Conger reports that Prince Ch’ing reiterates willingness of Chinese Government to open ports, but says it is absolutely impossible until Russian evacuation. Prince Ch’ing again confidentially promised that China would open ports very soon after evacuation; he could not give written promise, as this would influence Russia the same as actually opening the ports.)