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The United States will hold the Chinese government responsible for any losses incurred due to the anti-American boycott. Despite reports, Japan has not been aiding China. Transcribed are three messages to the Foreign Office and two newspaper articles, from the North China Daily Times and the Chefoo Daily News.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-17
William Woodville Rockhill sends a confidential message from the Emperor of China to President Roosevelt expressing gratitude for Roosevelt’s proclamation that China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty should be preserved. The Emperor of China hopes that Roosevelt will remember these words and protect the territorial rights of China in Manchuria during the upcoming peace negotiations between Japan and Russia. China will not send a representative to Washington to take part in the negotiations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-05
Ambassador Rockhill updates Secretary of State Hay on China’s concerns about the upcoming negotiations between Russia and Japan. Rockhill states the Chinese government wanted to participate in the negotiations; however, Rockhill was able to convince the Chinese officials to avoid hasty actions that could cause embarrassment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-07-01
William Woodville Rockhill proposes that the guard for the Legation of the United States in China be changed from a company of the 9th U.S. Infantry to one hundred Marines. Rockhill believes the change is desirable for a number of reasons including: it would be cheaper to maintain, the number of Marines could be promptly increased or decreased, the group of Marines would be more flexible than an infantry unit, and undesirable men could be readily replaced by better Marines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-06-08
The American China Development Company is negotiating development of the Canton-Hankow railway. China may have other foreign investors standing by. William Woodville Rockhill does not think the threat to American business is serious. Rockhill confirms the receipt of two telegrams, and transcribes a memorandum of the British Minister, a dispatch from the Foreign Office, and a note to the Foreign Office regarding the railroad.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-17
William Woodville Rockhill recounts what occurred between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government while the Dalai Lama was staying in Peking. Rockhill met with the Dalai Lama and offered advice to Agvan Dorjiev about whether or not the Dalai Lama should return to Lhasa and accept the removal of his temporal power. Rockhill believes that many of the reforms that China wishes to make would improve conditions in Tibet, while still allowing the Dalai Lama to maintain control over the Yellow Church.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-11-08
American Ambassador to China William Woodville Rockhill tells President Roosevelt about his recent meetings with the Dalai Lama. Rockhill met with the Dalai Lama twice in person, and was very impressed by his hospitality and composure. The Dalai Lama asked Rockhill’s opinion about the relations between India and Tibet, and gave Rockhill several gifts to present to Roosevelt. Rockhill assured the Dalai Lama that many people in America wished him well, and looked upon Tibet favorably. Rockhill congratulates Roosevelt on the nomination of Secretary of War William H. Taft as Republican candidate for president, and is sure that he will be elected.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-06-30
William Woodville Rockhill regrets to inform President Roosevelt that John Gardner Coolidge, who has been Secretary for the American Legation in China, would like to resign his position and return to the United States. Coolidge has no specific date in mind and will remain at his post until his successor arrives, but hopes that the successor will arrive within a few months. Rockhill recommends William Phillips, the current Second Secretary, for the position even though Phillips is still quite young.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-06-15
William Woodville Rockhill, U.S. Minister to China, writes to President Roosevelt regarding Admiral Togo’s farewell address to Japan and discusses the current state of affairs.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-01-11
Minister Rockhill discusses the boycott of American goods in Canton, Tientsen, and Peking. Rockhill advises that the Consul General manage his interactions with the Viceroy of Canton in a different manner in order to end the boycott.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-10-04
William Woodville Rockhill writes to Elihu Root to discuss a translation of the Imperial edict banning boycotts of American goods in China.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-01
William Woodville Rockhill writes to William Loeb to discuss the current relationship between China and the United States. The Chinese imperial edict recognizes the long friendship between the United States and China and urges people to patiently wait while treaties are revised. Boycotts of American goods are discouraged.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-09-01
Chinese traders, not the government, are responsible for starting the boycott. The government fears disorder, but has taken action against the boycott to show American support.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-27
William Woodville Rockhill transcribes correspondence with Yikuang, of the Chinese foreign ministry, regarding the boycott.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-29
Shanghai is taking steps to end the boycott, which largely began there. Chinese employees are discouraged from spreading anti-American circulars, and many local authorities are prohibiting the influence of boycott supporters in their territories.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-26
The boycott shows signs of subsiding in Shanghai and elsewhere.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-26
William Woodville Rockhill encloses Chinese articles regarding the boycott. The boycott shows the weaknesses of the Chinese government while controlling its people.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-24
The Chinese Foreign Office has authorized local governments to cease the American boycott, realizing the severity of the situation after talks with the American China Development Company. William Woodville Rockhill is still gathering information about the agreement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-18
William Woodville Rockhill has made reports to Secretary of State Root based on daily consular reports. The boycotts have little impact on many areas, but are taking hold in Yantai and Canton, though even there with little support from merchants. The situation is most serious in Shanghai, but American trade will recover and the opposition seems to be weakening. Enclosed are a telegram from Wilhelm Knappe and a Chinese news clipping about the boycotts.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-17
Chinese diplomats discuss the boycott of American goods and the Canton-Hankow Railway. Transcribed are conversations between E. T. Williams and H. E. Na-Tung, and a memorandum from the Foreign Office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-08-14