Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1900

Mr. Hay to Mr. Rockhill.

[Telegram—Paraphrase.]

Department of State,
Washington, October 25, 1900.

(Mr. Hay acknowledges Mr. Rockhill’s telegram of this date in regard to viceroys, and states that Mr. Conger has already been instructed to investigate and, if the reported action is probable, to protest. It appears that other powers will not appoint special commissioners to negotiate. The President will be glad if Mr. Rockhill will proceed to Pekin to aid Mr. Conger with counsel and advice. His stay is left to his discretion. It is impossible to say how long negotiations will last.

Mr. Rockhill will pay special attention in final arrangement to open door, in regard to which he is thoroughly informed as to the wishes of this Government—the protection of American merchants and missionaries, the establishment of minister for foreign affairs instead of yamen, the punishment of guilty persons, the posthumous honors to friendly ministers of yamen and to Chang Yin-huan.)