File No. 4002/264.
The Secretary of State to Ambassador Rockhill.
Washington, December 30, 1909.
Mr. Knox informs Mr. Rockhill that he may represent to the foreign office that the United States desires to avoid embarrassing the Russian Government, and that it has noted with satisfaction the recognition in notes exchanged last May between Russia and China of the principle that Chinese sovereignty suffers no diminution and that rights of other nationals are to be fully preserved, but that certain articles in the preliminary arrangement appear to be inconsistent with these declarations.
Mr. Knox adds that as the principles involved have now been formally recognized by Russia, it seems that the details might be arranged without any special embarrassment.