SEMALLÉ Chargé d’Affaires of France to Prince Kung, November 25, 1883

Foreign ministers to Prince Kung.

The undersigned have received and read the communication which your imperial highness was good enough to make to them on the 23d instant.

They have to observe in reply that the circumstances which may have led to the burning and pillage of Shameen do not in any way concern them in their corporate capacity. They therefore find themselves under the necessity of declining any participation in the appointment of a commission the object of which would be to arbitrate upon the events which led to the burning and pillage in question. The only subject with which the undersigned have any concern in their corporate capacity is the amount of money to be awarded to the various foreigners who have suffered in property through the lawless action of the Canton mob.

The undersigned can only regret that the Chinese Government should have introduced into an arrangement which at the outset promised such satisfactory results to all parties matters on the discussion of which they cannot consent to enter.

The claims which the Governments of the United States, Germany, Great Britain, and France have to make upon the Chinese Government for the losses sustained by their respective citizens and subjects will now be brought forward by each representative at the proper time.