Mr. McCormick to Mr. Hay.
St. Petersburg, April 29, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your cablegram of the 25th instant, instructing me to ascertain the meaning of the first two sections of a proposed Russo-Chinese convention, the one forbidding the establishment of treaty ports and consulates, and the other excluding all foreigners, except Russians, from employment in Chinese service, and to confirm my cablegraphic reply of this date.
* * * * * * *
In accordance with my cablegram above alluded to, Count Lamsdorff denied categorically all knowledge of and disclaimed the alleged, as he termed it, proposed convention between Russia and China, especially the two sections referred to in your cablegram—the one forbidding the establishment of treaty ports and consulates, and the other excluding all foreigners from employment in Chinese service.
His excellency said that the intentions of the Russian Government were exactly the same as they were fourteen months ago; that there had never been any thought of a Russo-Chinese convention excluding other countries from a participation in the advantages they enjoy at present in Manchuria or conferring monopolies upon Russians. He added that, while it must be distinctly understood that Russia admitted no protest on the subject from any power, as two independent nations were at liberty to treat as it suited them without intervention of a third power, he was happy to respond with perfect frankness to a question frankly put by the representative of such a friendly power as America, although confessing that he was somewhat hurt that the only [Page 710] expression of doubt should come from America. To this expression of feeling I responded that it was because we were such a friendly power that we could be frank, and that I was satisfied with his assurances.
He added that the United States Government could rest assured that nothing would ever be done to close the door now open in Manchuria, and that American commerce and American capital were, of all other countries, the one Russia most desired to attract for the benefit of her Eastern Chinese Railway, which would be rendered more profitable by the opening up of the tributary territory.
He said, however, that the question of final evacuation involved certain details, including among other things the protection of this railway and the interests which it involved—questions which did not concern any other power and were matters of detail.
I did not deem it wise or necessary to ask for particulars, which were not volunteered, especially as Count Lamsdorff had been so positive and had spoken with so much earnestness on the two points which it was my object to have cleared up.
* * * * * * *
I have, etc.,