Official documents relating to the war. (For the year 1917.)

Front matter

ftoss

Bookc i 1

Ti?

Part II

The Recall of the Chinese Ministers from Germany and A ustria-Hungary.

No.

From and to whom.

Date

Subject.

Page.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Berlin (telegram).

Vlar. 12.

Says severance of diplomatic relations between China and Germany is imminent and asks that Charge Tchai be instructed to consult Danish Foreign Minister regarding care of Chinese Affairs and the protection of residents and students

The Ministry of For-

Mar. 27 in Germany and Belgium

Requests him to consult his Government by telegraph in order to

Swedish Minister secure instructions for Swedish at Peking.

Minister in Belgium to assume protection of all Chinese interests

VI

No.

From and to whom. i

Date.

Subject.

Page.

*3

-M

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Berlin, c/o Chinese Legation in Denmark (telegram).

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Brussels (telegram.)

The Swedish Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Chinese Minister at Berlin to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (telegram transmitted via Copenhagen).

The Minister of For eign Affairs to the Chinese Change at Copenhagen (telegram).

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at

Berlin telegram)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Berlin (telegram).

"Ihe Chinese Minister at Berlin to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (telegram.)

The Minister of For eign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Vienna (telegram.)

Mar. 31

Mar. si

Apr. 4.

Apr. i-

May

May 4.

Aug.

Instructs him to ask Sweden to assume protection of Chinese interests in Belgium

Says Swedish Government has complied with the request of Chinese Government to assume protection of Chinese interests in Belgium .

Says Swedish Government is pleased to meet Chinese Government's desire as to representation of Chinese interests in Belgium.

Reports that 2 members of Legation in Belgium with 43 Chinese residents left on the 2nd for Switzerland and that he aird his suite will depart on the 12th

Instructs him to thank the Danish Foreign Minister for consenting to protect Chinese intertests in Germany and to request the Danish Foreign Minister to instruct the Danish Minister to Germany to protest strongly to the German Government against its holding Minister Yen as a hostage. . . ....

Informs him that protests have been lodged with German Government against holding him as hostage and instructs him to demand his passports and proceed to Denmark. . . .

Asks him the date of his arrival in Denmark and of the departure of Chinese .students from Germany, and instructs him to telegraph a summary report of the treatment which he and they have received from the German Government. . . .

Says students remain temporarily in German}' and treatment after severance of diplomatic relations same as before

Says he mry soon be recalled and instructs him to make preparations for the departure of Chinese stu dents in Austria-Hungary -.

2 3

The Minister of For eign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Copenhagen (telegram).

The Chinese Minister at Vienna to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (telegram).

The Chinese Minister at Copenhagen to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (telegram).

The Netherlands Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of For eign Affairs to the Russian Minister at Peking in charge of the interests oi the Danish Lega tion.

The Chinese Minister at Copenhagen to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Copenhagen (telegram.)

Aug. 8.

Aug. ic.

Aue

Aug. 21

Aug. 22

Instructs him informally to consult the Danish Government as to taking care of Chinese interests in Austria, and in case of non-compliance on its part then to consult the Swedish Government

Requests that the Danish Minister be informed of the treatment and escort accorded to the Austrian Minister on his departure in order that the information may be transmitted to the Austrian Government

Says Danish Foreign Minister has personally promised to comply with our request. (See No. 31)

Says German Government appreciates the kind treatment which Chinese Government has accorded German subjects in China and trusts that the Chinese Government will find means to secure safe conducts for those Germans who wish to leave China ; in return for such treatment, German Government will likewise give every facility to those Chinese students who wish to leave German territory, etc

Requests him to convey the deep appreciation of the Chinese Govvernment to the Royal Government of Denmark for its consent to protect Chinese interests in Austria-Hungary

Reports that the Danish Foreign Minister has consented that Chinese interests in Austria-Hungary and Turkey may be protected by Danish Ministers to those countries.

Instructs him to request the Danish Government to instruct its Minister at Vienna to request Austrian Government to ask German Government to grant passage to Minister Shen to enable him to return home via Gern-iany :

vni

No.

From and to whom. Date.

Subject.

Page.

The Chinese Minister at Rome to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (telegram)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Copenhagen (tele gram).

The Nertherlands Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Chinese Minister at Copenhagen to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (telegram.)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands Minister at Peking.

Sept. 10

Sept. iii

Sept. 12

Reports that Swiss Legation said that a telegraphic reply from Vienna stated that Chinese Minister may take departure upon Austrian Government receiving definite reply from its Minister at Peking

Informs him that M. Rosthorn and suite will leave Shanghai on Sept. 15 by Dutch Steamer and safe-conducts have been obtained for them, and instructs him to request Danish Government to protest strongly to the Austrian Govern merit against its holding Minis ter Shen as a hostage.

The Minister of- For- Sept. i^

Chinese Minister at

Copenhagen (tele

gram) .

The Netherlands Mi- Sept. 14

nister at Peking to

the Minister of

Foreign Affairs.

The Danish Minister Sept. 16

at Peking to the

Minister of Foreign

Affairs.

The Chinese Minister Sept. 30 to Austria-Hung ary to the Ministe of Foreign Affairs (telegram).

Says the Chinese Minister at Vienna has declared that all reports that he was detained, were not authorized by him and were untrue

Says that according to Minister Shen's statement he was not detained as a hostage; the German Government has already promised to issue safe conduct

Inquires as to the reason why the de parture of Minister Shen has not been effected, and requests him urgently to telegraph to the Austrian Government to permit Minister Shen to leave Austria immediately

structs him to urge Minister Shen to leave Austria immediately

Says Minister Shen's safe-conduct has already been granted by Ger man Government at the request of Austrian Government

Transmits Danish Foreign Minister's telegram to Danish Legation at Peking relative to Minister Shen's denial that he has been detained at Vienna

Reports his arrival at Copenhagen.

34 35

IX

No.

From andto whom..

Date.

Subject.

Page.

: 1917

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands Minister at Peking.

Oct. 4.

Says according to communications from Chinese Minister at Copenhagen and Swedish Foreign Office, German Government has given no permission to Chinese students % to leave Germany or Belgium, and requests that German Government be urged to issue, safe-conducts to

The Netherlands Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Oct. 6.

Says he has already telegraphed German Government inquiring whether ' the latter will permit Chinese students *to leave territories of

The Minister of For-

Oct 24.

Germany and Belgium

^6

Renews request that German Governj u ment be urged by telegraph to

Netherlands Minpermit Chinese students to leave| ister at Peking

Germany and Belgium forthwith...

1:37

Part III

The Departure of Hie German and Austrian Diplomatic Officials.

No.

From and to whom.

Date.

Subject.

Page.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners of

Instructs them to issue passports to German Consuls and their staffs and families as soon as diplomatic rela-

Foreign Affairs for

- tions with Germany are broken various Provinces off

(telegram )

The Nerthhnds Minister at Peking to the'Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Requests that time limit for German Consuls to leave the country be extended and that the German Comular Clerk at Tsinanfu be allowed to remain to look after

-

Consulate archives

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the

Instructs them to extend time limit for German Consuls to leave coun-

Commissioners of try according to circumstances

Foreign Affairs Tor various Provinces

(telegram.)

The Netherlands Minister at Peking to

Mar. iR.

Requests that instructions be given to officials in charge of foreign the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

affairs to facilitate the return home of German Consuls, etc., and to refrain from pressing them to pass

4*

No.

From and to whom.

Date.

Subject.

Mar. 19

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Commission ers of Foreigni Affairs for various Provinces (telegram.) The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Ministers at Washington, Tokvo, London and" Paris (tele gram.) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioners of Foreign Affairs for various Provinces (excepting Three Eastern Provinces and Yunnan tele-l gram ) The Minister of M Foreign Affairs to the Acting Minister of Interior.

Page.

Notes the necessity of attaching photographs of German Consuls, etc , to their safe-conducts

Instructs them relative to securing sauf conduits and privilege of passage for the German Minister and consular officials

Mar. 22

Instructs them as to procuring safe-conducts for German Consuls.

Says German Minister has decided to leave for America from Woosung on Mar. 22

The Minister of For- Mar. eign Affairs to the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai.

The Minister of For- Mar. 23 eign Affairs to the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at

?hai

(tele-

Requests him to provide protection and to render all necessary services to the departing German Minister and his staff from Peking to Shanghai to embark for Germany..

Says German Minister will leave Peking on Mar. 24 and will board Dutch steamer at Shanghai for United States, ^sks that a special steam -boat be reserved for convey ing German Minister to Woosung.

Says German Minister will leave

1 Peking on the 25th and reach Woosung on the morning of 27th

Shan 5 gram.) The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands Minister at Peking.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai (telegram.)

Mar 24 Treats of the proposition that certain subordinate officials of German Consulates be retained to keep the archives ■ 45

Mar. 24

Treats of procuring safe-conducts from British Consul-General for German Consuls . . • .

No.

Frpm and to whom.

Date.

Subject.

Page.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the

Treats of procuring safe-conducts for German Consuls from Consuls of

Commissioners of

Allied Countries in China

Foreign Affairs for various Province's, excepting the

Three Eastern Provinces and Yunnan (telegram.)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands Minister at Peking.

Says instructions have been sent on many occasions to Commissioners of Foreign Affairs to give assistance to departing German Consuls and denies that the latter have been pressed to pass through

The American Minishostile territories

Says all German consular officers in ter at Peking to

China desiring^o proceed to Gerthe Minister of many via the United States should

Foreign Affairs.

assemble at Shanghai and take passage in one vessel

48 48

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the

Refers to the above note

Commissioners of

.

excepting those for

Yunnan, the Three

Eastern . Provinces, Szechuan and

Shantung (tele-

.

gram.)

The Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai to the

Reports the safe departure of the German Minister and incloses a statement testifying to the same...

Minister of Foreign

Affairs.

The Nethlands Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Apr^6.

Requests that the wording of safe-conduct issued by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the German

Minister von Hintze be so amended as to cover ports of Sweden, Norway and Denmark ....

68 The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the American Minister at Peking.

The American Minis ter at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Netherlands Mi' nister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Apr. 7.

Apr. 9.

Apr. 1;

Requests that American Consul at Canton be instructed to issue safe-conducts to German Consuls at Canton and Pakhoi for their voyage to Shanghai and that the American Consul-General at Shanghai be instructed to issue safe-conducts to said German consuls for their journey from Shanghai to Eu.rope via the United States

Acknowledges above note. Complies with the first request but not with the second

I he Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Berlin (telegram.)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Ministers at London and Paris (telegram.)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the British Change and French Minister at Peking.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Minister at Washington (telegram.)

Apr. i;

Apr. 13

2rman Shanghai

Reports the departure of G Consular officials from and incloses a statement of their appreciation of the courtesy shown them and a list of the said party. .

Requests that the time limit specified in the safe-conduct for Admiral von Hintze, etc. be concelled. Says German Government on learning of the effective cancellation of this time limit, would immediately issue passports to Chinese Minister at Berlin. ..,..-

Informs him that request has already been made to Allied Governments for cancellation of time limit in German Minister's safe-conducts and that strong protest has been lodged with German Government against its conduct in detaining the Chinese Minister as a hostage

Instructs them to request the' British and French Foreign Offices to cancel time limit fixed in German Minister's safe-conducts

Requests the cancellation of time limit in German Minister's safe-conducts

Instructs him to request American Government to issue to German Minister, etc., new safe-conducts without time limit for travelling via Sweden, Norwav or Denmark xu\

No.

From and to whom.

Subject.

Page.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Swedish Minister at Peking. .

The French Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs-to the Nethlands Minister at Peking.

Requests that German party be allowed Sweden

Apr. 18

Minister and to land in

Says he has requested his Government ' by telegraph to instruct its Ambassador at Washington to issue to German Minister a safe-conduct to supplement and modify the one first issued 59

Says- the Ministry has already requested the Allied Governments concerned to cancel the time limit in German Minister's safe-conducts. Protests against Germany's detaining Minister Yen as host-

The Minister of For eign Aflairs to the British Charge at Peking

The Swedish Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

age

Apr.

Mav 12

May 14.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands Minister at Peking.

The Netherlands Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of For-|May 16 eign Affairs to the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai ( telegram.) The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands Minister at Peking.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai.

Requests that he be good enough to request Norwegian Government by telegraph to allow former German Minister, etc., to return home via

Norway

Says Swedish Government is pleased to give all aid and protection to Admiral von Hintze, etc., when passing through Swedish territory

on their way to Germany

Transmits Minister Koo's telegram reporting former German Minister's departure from United States for

Rotterdam

Requests him to obtain safe-conducts, without time limits, for German consular officers and postal employees . . -

instructs him to notify German consular and postal officials that American Government will grant them passage provided they return in one party

May 23

May 23

Treats of securing safe-conducts for German consular and postal officers to return home

Same as above .

XIV

No.

From and to whom.

Date.

Subject.

July ig

86 The Ministry of For eign Affairs to the Netli rlands Min ister at Peking.

^7 The Commissioner of Foreign Affairs at Shanghai to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Wai Chiao Pu to the Aug. 14

Austrian Minister

etc.

The Minister of For- Aug. 21

Netherlands Minis

ter at Peking.

Page.

The Netherlands Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Transmits Minister Koo's telegram reporting the departure of" the second party of German consular officials from New York for Bergen

Reports the departure of German Consular officers (except two who were prevented bv illness) from Shanghai. Incloses a list of departing German Consular Officials etc., and also a copy of statement

ot safe departure..

A passport ,

66 69

Aus

The Minister of For- Aug. 28 eign Affairs to the French, American and Japanese Ministers and British Charge at Peking.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Portugese. Ru sian, Italian and Belgian Ministers at Peking.

The French Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Italian Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Russian Legation at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Requests that the former Austrian Minister be advised to leave China at his earliest convenience and that the Ministry be informed of the date of his departure and the name of his boat L

Says Austrian Minister intends" to return home by Dutch steamer Orange leaving Shanghai for San l;rancisco on Sept. 15, Incloses a list of the Austrfan Consular officials at Tientsin

Relates to securing safe-conducts" for ' former Austrian Minister, etc..

Same as above

Aug. 29

Aug.

Aug.

Relates to the issue of safe-conduct* to former Austrian Minister and his suite and former Austrian consuls .

Relates to issuing safe -conducts to forme: Austrian Minister, etc,.

Requests a list of persons intending to accompany former Austrian Min ister on his way home, etc

XV ioo

10?.

Sept. 2.

Sept. 4

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Russian Minister at Peking.

The Japanese Miister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the American, French, Russian and Japanese Minister, and the British Charge at Peking.

The American Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, do

The French Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Japanese Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands ^Minister at Peking

The Britisli Charge at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Netherlands Mi nister at Peking to the Minister of For eign Affairs.

Sept.

Sept. 7

Sept.

.do

The Minister of For eign Affairs to the Netherlands Minister at Peking.

Acknowledges above note. Incloses a list of personnel of former Austrian Minister's party

Relates to issuing safe-conducts to former Austrian Minister and Consuls, etc

Relates to securing safe-conducts for former Austrian Minister and Con suls, etc. Incloses photographs and list. . . .

Relates to issuing safe-conducts to former Austrian Minister and Consuls, etc

Incloses safe conducts for Austrian Minister, etc. . . . 7. Same as above former

Sept. 8.

Sept. 8

Sept, 9

Sept. 11.

Sept. 12.

do

77 78

Sept. 14

Requests him to inform the Ministry of the exact date on which former Austrian Minister will leave Peking.

Incloses safe-conduct for former Austrian Minister, etc., with the condition that British Government reserves the right to search their luggage

Says Dutch steamer Oranje will arrive at Woosung on Sept. 16 and that former Austrian Minister wishes to arrive at Woosung just in time for steamer to sail. .

Says Dutch steEmer Oranje will be two days late and will arrive at Woosung on the 18th inst

Relates to procuring safe-conducts for former Austrian Minister, etc Incloses 11 safe-conducts.. .....

81 82 82

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands Minister at Peking.

do

The Netherlands Minister at Peking to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Commissioner of of Foreign Affairs for Kiangsu to the Minister of Foreign "ffairs.

Sept. 15

Sept. 15

Sept. 20

Relates to Special train for former Austrian Minister from Peking to Shanghai

Requests that all Austrian Contulir officers be ordered to leave China.

Acknowledges receipt of 11 safe-conducts for former Austrian Minister, etc., and notes the condition reserving the right to search luggage, etc.,

Reports on the departure of former Austrian Minister, etc., from Shanghai. Incloses 3 certificates of safe departure and 2 lists giving names of members of parties.

the

PART IV. Rules and Regulations relating to the War

ii-

116 117 118 119

The Ministry of Communications to the Director-General of trie Postal Service.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs to the Netherlands Min-. ister at Peking.

A Public Proclamation of the Ministry, of Communications.

A Presidential Mandate.

Instructional Mandate No. XX.

A Presidential Mandate.

Instructional Mandate No. XXI.

Ministry of the Navy Order No. T26.

Oct. 30

do

do

do Dec. 12

Rules of procedure respecting delivery!

of German mail bags

Informs him of suspension of practice of exchanging mail matter in China between Chinese Post Office and German Postal Agency

Regulations governing the censor of mail matter ; . ,

Promulgates the rules and regulations

governing the Prize Court

Prize Court Rules the regulations govern-

P101nulgaf.es

ing captures at sea Regulations Governing Captures i

Sea

Regulations governing safe-keeping of

captured property in the Navall

Warehouse 10S

92 92

93 94

XV11

IQI7.

A Presidential Man- Dec. I'

date.

Instructional Man-I do

date No. XXVTI. I

Subject. Page,

Promulgates the penal laws governing prisoners of war ■ 109

Penal Laws Governing Prisoners of War 109