:
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[22900]
No. 1.
27192 1
536 [July 11
30 JUL 07 SECTION 1.
(No. 149. Sir,
Mr. Bryce to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received July 11.)
Confidential.)
Intervale, June 30, 1907.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that Sir Chentung Liang Cheng, the retiring Chinese Minister, presented his letters of recall to the President at Oyster Bay, Long Island, on the 27th instant.
Some days before, the Secretary of State had informed Sir Chentung that the United States' Government proposed to waive all claim to the indemnity payable by China and arising out of events which occurred in the
year 1900. The retiring Minister, in saying farewell to the President, presented him with the following telegram :-
"Wai-wu Pu to the Chinese Minister.
**
Peking, June 24, 1907. "Your telegraphic report on the remission of the indemnity having been laid before the Emperor, you are commanded to convey to the President of the United States His Majesty's warm thanks for this novel exhibition of his friendship towards China, which is deeply and gratefully appreciated, he having alone taken the lead in a matter of international justice."
The text of this telegram was published in the "New York Herald" of the following day from which it is taken.
Mr. Root, in speaking of the matter to Mr. Howard, Councillor of this Embassy, said that he was especially glad to have been able to communicate the determination taken by his Government to remit the indemnity just before the departure of Sir Chentung, because it might perhaps be of use to him in China. He was afraid from what Sir Chentung had said to him that the latter was uncertain as to what sort of fate might be in store for him on his return home. It might well be that on account of his American education and his fondness for this country Sir Chentung was looked upon as too Western in his ideas and was not altogether well thought of at home.
Mr. Root added that he regretted his departure as he had always found him straightforward and an excellent man to deal with. Sir Chentung's departure will also be much regretted by his colleagues, among whom he is deservedly popular.
I have, &c.
(In the absence of His Majesty's Ambassador),
(Signed) ESME HOWARD.
P.S.-The whole indemnity due to the United States from China on account of the Boxer rising, amounts to 24,000,000 dollars. Of this nearly 11,000,000 dollars are due to private American citizens for loss of and damage to property occasioned by the rising. The balance, over 13,000,000 dollars, which is due to the United States' Government under Treaty, is the sum the payment of which the President, if he obtains authority from Congress, will no longer exact.
E. H.
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