Peking, June '30.
A Note relative to the status of the Russian Legation has been sent fo the Diplomatic Body Foreign Minister. Inter alia the Note says that the assumption by the foreign representatives of the signatories of the Protocol of 190i of the responsibility of guarding the buildings and premises of the former Russian Legation in Peking was an act undertaken by the said representatives without the consent. of the Chinese Government, and it continues:—
"Your Excelleney's suggestion to consider the question of handing. over the former Russian Legation jonly on a request addressed to the foreign representatives by the Rus-ian representatives duly accredited {to the Chinese Government appears overlook the special interest of the (Chinese Government to see that the promises of the former Russian Legation promptly are bunded back authorized representative of the Russian Government. It will be reenlled that the Diplomatic Quar-for, though placed under the control of the foreign Legations by the Protocol of 1901, remains a part of Chinese territory and that the premises of the Russian Legation, though situated in the said Quarter, fare themselves not subject to the control of the representatives of fother Powers. Indeed, they cannot bbe subject to such control, as they are the property of a foreign Power th which China has re-establish fed diplomatic relations and which is anxious to take possession of the Legation through its authorized representative, for use as its Legation. It appears to the Chinese Government that for practical purposes they ure the! natural channel' through " which to arrange for the handing back of the premises of the former Russian Legation to their lawful owners, because, as regards this particular matter, they are in. the best position to know by direct communication with the representative of the Soviet Government as to who is its duly authorized agent to take over the said premises on its behalf. They are farther inclined to the view that! the conventional status of the [Diplomatic Quarter should not' make it dificult for the for presentatives to comply with request of the Chinese Government, since they have not asked control themselves of the said mises, but have requested only to have them delivered to an authoriz~ ed representative of the of Soviet ment.
jew of the foregoing con= shicrations, T have the honour request that Your Kxeclleney will, fon recept of thiy Note, in evnjane: tion with the other foreign representatives concerned, hind over the premises of the Russian Legation as carly as possible to the Govern ment of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics, which has uppointed M. Schwarsalon as its duly authorized representative to receive and take possession of the Legation fon its behalf, I hope the more sincerely that Your Excellency will soe your way to arrange for compli ance with this request, ax any other course of action in the present would not only embarrass the Chin" ese Goverament in their desire to extend every courtesy and facility prescribed by international usage to the representatives of foreign Governments maintaining amicable relations with China, but would also appear to prejudice the right of foreign Powers to establish their Togations en Chinese territory free from any condition other than the consent of the Chinese Government."
Diplomatic Body Formulating
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.