Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
Peking, July 1, 1903.
Sir: Yesterday, by appointment, I had a long conference with Prince Ch’ing and, as instructed, presented again the reasonableness of our request for the opening of Manchurian ports and insisted that, under the provisions of the Final Protocol and the importance of our trade, we were justified in demanding a prompt and willing compliance therewith.
The Prince agreed with what I said, acknowledged that the ports ought to be opened, and declared that China would herself open them at once but for the difficulties presented by the Russian occupation. He said that the restoration of Manchuria by the Russians was of vital importance to China, and she could not afford to do anything which would be reasonably certain to prevent this.
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I asked him, then, if he desired that the conclusion of our treaty should wait indefinitely for the Russian withdrawal. He said by no means, and he sincerely hoped that the United States Government would not, under the unfortunate circumstances described, insist upon waiting for this, but that the treaty might be concluded and signed at once.
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[Page 67]I left him with a clear understanding that my Government, being assured by the Russian Government that it had no objections, believed that China could and should open the ports, but that I would again wire it what he said.
The final evacuation of Manchuria, according to the original agreement, is to take place on the 8th of October next. * * It does not seem to me, therefore, that the conclusion of our treaty should wait, since Messrs. Goodnow and Seaman report to me that, with the exception of opening treaty ports, they and the Chinese commissioners have agreed upon all other questions in conformity with your instructions. I have, etc.,