Chargé Coolidge to
the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, January 25,
1905.
No. 1797.]Sir: * * * I have the honor to confirm the
Department’s telegram of January 5.
On receipt of the foregoing I wrote to the foreign office as directed,
urging the necessity of refraining from such action until the parties
interested could be heard from.
After waiting a week for a reply I directed the Chinese secretary of the
legation to make an informal inquiry as to the purpose of the Chinese
Government and the reasons for their delay in answering my note. He
elicited the information that the matter was under discussion by the
board of commerce, in whose domain the question lies in the internal
administration of the country, and that, in connection with the
investigation, Chang Chih-tung had been ordered to report on the
situation, because of the strong opposition of the gentry of Kwangtung,
Hunan, and Hupeh. I then wrote asking that this statement be embodied in
a reply for prompt transmission to my government, which was done. * *
*
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Chargé Coolidge
to Prince Ch’ing.
American Legation,
Peking, January 9,
1905.
Your Imperial Highness: Referring to Mr.
Conger’s notes of November 15 and 19, 1904, I have the honor to
inform you that I have received a further telegram from the
Secretary of State to the effect that the Chinese minister at
Washington has announced the intention of the Imperial Government to
cancel its agreement with the American China Development
Company.
The Government of the United States looks upon this company as in
good faith American, and, as is well known, insists upon the sole
right to deal with the Chinese Government regarding diplomatic
questions affecting its interests.
It therefore can not admit that a step so far-reaching in its
consequences can be taken until the justice and necessity of such a
measure have been clearly shown.
I am consequently directed strongly to impress upon your imperial
highness that my government holds it to be imperatively necessary
that this action be postponed until the parties whose interests are
vitally affected shall have been further heard from.
I avail, etc.,
[Page 130]
[Inclosure 2.]
Chargé Coolidge
to Prince Ch’ing.
American Legation,
Peking, January 17,
1905.
Your Imperial Highness: I have the honor to
call the attention of your imperial highness to the fact that on the
15th and 19th of November, 1904, and again on the 9th of January,
1905, notes were sent to your imperial highness protesting against
the declared intention of China to annul the contract of the China
American Development Company, and expressing the urgent desire of my
government that the company be given time and opportunity to answer
all charges.
So far no answer has been returned to these communications, except
the information conveyed by His Excellency Ch’ü Hung-Chi to Mr.
Williams, the Chinese secretary of this legation, that the notes had
been referred to the board of commerce, which, it was stated, has
charge of railway affairs, and that His Excellency Chang Chih-tung,
viceroy of the Hu-kuang Provinces, owing to his intimate knowledge
of the situation, had been appointed a special commissioner to
investigate and report upon the matter.
I have the honor to request of your imperial highness that some
authoritative statement of the situation be sent to me in order that
I may immediately convey it to my government.
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure 3.]
Prince Ch’ing to
Charge Coolidge.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of several letters and
dispatches from His Excellency Mr. Conger and from your excellency
regarding China’s proposed method of dealing with the case, and
saying that action should be suspended until those most deeply
interested in the American China Development Company might have time
to make a clear statement of the facts in the case.
As to this matter, it is one which concerns commercial affairs, and
moreover the gentry of the three Provinces Kuangtung, Hunan, and
Hupeh have made complaint and protest, which is being dealt with by
the board of commerce and His Excellency Chang Chih-tung, the
viceroy of the Hu-kuang. The note and dispatches sent by His
Excellency Mr. Conger and yourself have already been transmitted to
them, and a telegraphic notice sent as well, as the records
show.
It will be necessary therefore to wait until the board of commerce
and Viceroy Chang shall reply. Upon the receipt of such reply I will
write your excellency again to inform you.
As in duty bound, I send this reply for your excellency’s
information.
A necessary dispatch.
Kuanghsü XXX year, twelfth moon,
thirteenth day. (January 18, 1905.)
[seal.]
