The President has strong reason to believe that the Governments of Russia and Germany will co-operate in such an understanding as is here proposed. Recent Ukase of His Majesty the Emperor of Russia, declaring the port of Talienn open to the merchant-ships of all nations, during the whole term of the lease under which it is to be held by Russia, removes all uncertainty as to the liberal conciliatory policy of that Power, and justifies the expectation that His Majesty will accede to the similar request of the United States, now being represented to him, to make the desired declaration.
The recent action of Germany in declaring the port of Kiao-Chao a "free port" and the aid which its Government has given China, in establishing there a Chinese Custom-house, coupled with oral assurances given to the United States by Germany that the interests of the United States and its citizens within its "sphere" would nowise be affected by its occupation of this portion of the Province of Shantung, encourage the belief that little opposition is to be anticipated to the President's request for a similar declaration from that Power.
It is needless also to add that Japan, the Power next most largely interested in the trade of China, must be in entire sympathy with the views here expressed, that its interests will be largely served by the proposed arrangement, and the decisions of its statesmen within the last year are so entirely in line with it that co-operation of that Power is confidently relied upon.
It is therefore with the greatest pleasure that I present this matter to your Lordship's attention, and urge its prompt consideration by Her Majesty's Government, believing that the action now requested is in entire harmony with its consistent theme and purpose, and that it will greatly redound to the benefit and advantage of commercial nations alike. The prompt and sympathetic co-operation of Her Majesty's Government with the United States in this important matter will be very potent in promoting its adoption by all the Powers concerned.
I have, &c.
(Signed) JOSEPH H. CHOATE
Page 70
Immediate & Confidential
...
Sir,
Mr. Chamberlain is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd inst., enclosing copy of a note from the American Ambassador at this Court, in which he suggests that a declaration should be made by Foreign Powers claiming "spheres of interest" in China, as to their intentions in regard to the treatment of foreign trade & interests therein.
2. In reply, I am to request you...