Scandinavia," but have obtained an entente of the utmost significance. As the King of Sweden emphasized in his opening speech, the monarchs were performing a duty not only to the three nations of to-day, but, what is perhaps of greater importance, to posterity; they would pave the way to an even better understanding and closer alliance of the three sister kingdoms. I have [etc.] [Enclosure Translation] A. G. SCHMEDEMAN Official “Communiqué” concerning the Conference of Malmö The conference [was] opened Friday, September 18, by H. M. King Gustaf, who emphasized the unanimity of the three Scandinavian kingdoms in maintaining their policy of neutrality, and expressed a desire that they might continue to work together for protection of their common interests. King Gustaf stated that he had invited the monarchs of Denmark and Norway to the conference, in the consciousness of his responsibilities to the present and future generations, so that nothing might be omitted that could contribute to the welfare of the three nations. King Gustaf's speech was answered by King Haakon and King Christian, both of whom expressed their joy at the initiative of King Gustaf, and at the same time uttered a wish that the conference might have happy and blessed results for the three nations. The meeting adjourned on the afternoon of the 19th. The negotiations between the monarchs, who were accompanied by the respective Ministers for Foreign Affairs, will tend not only to strengthen the existing friendly relations of the three northern kingdoms, but they have also proved the existence of complete unanimity with regard to the special questions that arose for discussion. Finally, it was agreed that the cooperation that had thus been so auspiciously commenced should be continued, and that when occasion might arise representatives of the three powers should again meet with the same object in view. THE WAR IN THE FAR EAST: NEUTRALIZATION PROPOSALSJAPAN'S ENTRANCE AGAINST GERMANY-THE EXTENSION OF OPERATIONS IN CHINA AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN File No. 763.72111/3 The Chargé d'Affaires in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, August 3, 1914, 5 p. m. Withdrawal of the British and German naval forces from the Yangtze leaves almost wholly to the American and Japanese forces the responsibility for protecting general foreign interests in that region. I would therefore suggest that the Admiral be instructed to undertake such general protection of foreign interests other than American and that it be particularly recommended to him to keep one of the larger vessels at Shanghai, where the Government troops are reported to be unreliable and disorders are apprehended. In view of the possibility that the failure to obtain in Europe the loans upon which the Government relies to meet immediate financial needs may result in disaffection among the troops, the virtually complete withdrawal of the German and Austrian Legation guard to 2432-2811 Tsingtao and the possible reduction of the French and Italian guards may necessitate other measures for the protection of the Legation quarter, and with a view to that eventuality I beg to request that arrangement be made by which the Legation could, in case of need, call upon the Admiral for two or more additional companies of marines from the fleet now at Chefoo. Similar considerations forbid removal of any of our troops guarding railway from Tientsin northwards, and may in fact require eventual increase. The proposal is being mooted to neutralize all foreign settlement concessions in China not including leased areas. I beg to request authorization for the Legation to participate in such an arrangement when laid before the Diplomatic Body. MACMURRAY File No. 763.72111/4 The Chargé d'Affaires in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, August 3, 1914, 11 p. m. [Received 3 p. m.] I have been approached on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs with an inquiry as to the consideration the American Government would give to a request that it endeavor to obtain the consent of the belligerent European nations to an undertaking not to engage in hostilities either in Chinese territory and marginal waters or in adjacent leased territories. I beg to request instructions whether or not to encourage the Chinese Government to make the request which it is thus tentatively considering. MACMURRAY File No. 763.72111/283 The Chargé d'Affaires in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, August 6, 1914, 12 midnight. The Chinese Government is addressing to the Department of State a request in the sense outlined in my telegram of August 3, 11 p. m. It is also simultaneously requesting the Japanese Government to cooperate with ours in this matter. It is planned that the President of China will to-morrow address his request to the President directly. I beg to request that as the Diplomatic Body has not been willing to take up the question of the neutralization of the treaty ports, referred to in my telegram of August 3, 5 p. m., it might be advisable to suggest to the belligerents that, even though failing a complete exclusion of the Far East from the area of hostilities, they instruct their representatives to maintain the principle of neutrality throughout their jurisdiction in China. It is earnestly hoped that the attitude of the German Government in this matter may be made known to the Legation for communication to the Chinese Government as soon as possible. MACMURRAY File No. 763.72111/3 The Secretary of State to the Chargé d'Affaires in China (MacMurray) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 7, 1914, 1 p. m. Your telegram of August 3, 5 p. m. The Department authorizes Legation to participate in proposed arrangement to neutralize all foreign settlements in China not including leased areas. BRYAN. File No. 763.72111/277 The Secretary of State to the Chargé d'Affaires in China (MacMurray) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 7, 1914, 2 p. m. 1 Your telegram of August 6, 8 p. m.1 Report nationality and numbers of troops withdrawn from the railway and of those remaining. Has the Diplomatic Corps recently discussed question of continuing railway guards? Have governments withdrawing made any arrangements with other powers for substitutes? BRYAN File No. 763.72111/4 The Secretary of State to the Chargé d'Affaires in China (MacMurray) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 7, 1914, 5 p. m. Your August 3, 11 p. m. Previous to the receipt of your telegram the Chinese Minister here on August 3 left a memorandum with the Department requesting the American Government to take the action mentioned in your inquiry. The Department is giving the matter careful consideration. 'Not printed. BRYAN File No. 763.72/270 The Chargé d'Affaires in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, August 8, 1914, 5 p. m. Your telegram of August 7, 2 p. m. From Tientsin and railway the Germans have withdrawn all but ten out of 300; Japanese approximately 1,000 out of 1,400 and Russia all of their 800 troops; French approximately 400 out of 1,100 and their remaining troops, like the 2,300 British, are expected to be withdrawn at any time, although no confirmation is yet obtainable. Apart from Americans other forces there are negligible. The corps has not discussed railway guards nor will it take up any claims [involving] international questions at present, but the desirability of increasing American guards has been intimated to me informally by both British and German Legations. I can not ascertain arrangements have been made for substitutes but the Japanese Legation is reliably quoted as stating that its Government is prepared to take all measures necessary for the protection of foreign interests. MACMURRAY File No. 763.72/229 The Chargé d'Affaires in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, August 7, 1914, 2 a. m. [Received 5.30 p. m.] The German Chargé d'Affaires informs me that at the time of Russia's preoccupation with the Balkan situation two years ago Japan took the opportunity to conclude a convention by which Russia in the event of becoming involved in those hostilities would lend Japan all practicable support in annexing southern Manchuria and acquiring Kiaochow, Russia reserving freedom of action in northern Manchuria; that subsequently by the intermediation of Great Britain it was arranged that in the event of European War Japan would participate with Great Britain and Russia in hostilities against Germany in the Pacific, receiving in compensation German rights in Kiaochow. To that end Japanese war vessels are already stationed within reach of Tsingtao and transports have been prepared in Japan for an expeditionary force to be landed at Haichow, Kiangsu, and to invest Tsingtao pending the arrival of the Australian naval force. MACMURRAY File No. 763.72/668 The Ambassador in Japan (Guthrie) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Tokyo, August 29, 1914, 1 p. m. [Received 8.30 a. m.] In conversation with Russian Ambassador yesterday he stated in most positive terms that there was no agreement of any kind between Japan and Russia concerning China. GUTHRIE File No. 763.72/296 The Ambassador in Japan (Guthrie) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Tokyo, August 10, 1914, 7 p. m. German Ambassador says England has called on Japan for assistance under alliance. He was unable to communicate with the Minister of Foreign Affairs but had an interview with the Vice Minister yesterday. He could get no assurance as to action contemplated by Japan. He says Japan's fleet has been mobilized and he believes it is Japan's intention to seize Tsingtao and all German possessions in the Far East. German forces will resist but resistance is hopeless. He asserts that elimination of Germany from the Far East and the transfer of her possessions to Japan would be prejudicial to American interests and requested me to call on Foreign Office for information as to Japan's purpose. I declined to do so but at his suggestion promised to communicate with the Department. Ambassador is ready to leave at a moment's notice and desires to place German affairs in our hands. Chinese Minister has called to know whether American Fleet would be used to protect China and preserve.peace in the Far East. On the 8th local newspapers published report that I had been instructed by Department to inform the Foreign Office that our Atlantic Fleet was on its way to Far East. This report was made positively and caused considerable excitement and comment here. It was probable cause of call from Chinese Minister. In answer to many requests for information I denied the story. It was also denied by the Foreign Office. GUTHRIE File No. 763.72/326 The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract] AMERICAN EMBASSY, London, August 11, 1914, 2 a. m. [Received 8 a. m.] 323. Sir Edward Grey has conferred with me about suggestions that he says you have made through the British Embassy at Wash |