393.1123 Lincheng/206
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Memorandum
The Corps Diplomatique at Peking are now considering proposals for a settlement of the recent outrage by brigands on the Tientsin-Pukow railway and measures for the better protection of foreigners in the future.
Conditions in China appear to be deteriorating and unless an opportunity is seized to insist on effective guarantees for the safety of foreigners their position will gradually become impossible. His Majesty’s Government consider it desirable, moreover, that action should be taken promptly before the effect created by the recent outrage has had time to wear off.
His Majesty’s Minister at Peking has proposed the creation of a railway police force under foreign officers, together with increased foreign control over the railway revenues, in order to provide for the payment of the force.
This scheme appears to His Majesty’s Government to be the one most likely to produce useful results, but difficulty is to be anticipated in securing its acceptance by China unless the Powers present a united front in the matter.
His Majesty’s Government earnestly hope that the United States Government will see their way to accord to their representative at Peking full authority to act in concert with the Corps Diplomatique in demanding such measure as may be required.