Japanese Ambassador,

Your invasion of Tsintgao produces new burdens upon us which may grow unsustainable. Your action threatens to unleash a wave of violence throughout the Empire on the extra-nationals with whom we have treaty obligations. We wish to inform you that we have striven to honor such accords, which we have done faithfully. Your action threatens our ability to continue the effective suppression of the Boxers and so imperils our national security vis-a-vis other treaty partners.

As such, the actions of your government lack adequate foresight. They undermine what have been judicious, painful, and expensive efforts for us to keep faith with our treaty obligations. You have placed us in a position where we are expected now to wage war against our own people to secure your privilege of violent invasion. We will not wage war on our own people to slake your thirst for imperial conquest.

We suggest you immediately remove your forces from Tsingtao so that a foreseeable sequence of events does not unfold, namely: that we maintain our army mobilized and in hard sites and bases as prudence wold require in the event hostilities between neighbors, these sequestered forces then become less able to restrain the rising tide of Boxer enthusiasm stemming from your so-far successful example of evicting a European power, and you then force China to choose whether to wage war on its own people or to confront the protagonist of this tide of violence.

Your choosing wisely will cost you a pittance and elevate your credibility as an Asian power; such an act might also be a precursor to better relations between us - if you should prove true to the course of integrity. Choosing otherwise will entail costs to Japan, China, and our treaty partners. We warn you that we alone will not be held to account. You also will be held to account for provoking the sequence of events I have detailed for you. The value of the damage you will visit on the world economy will exceed many-fold the total value of your national assets. Retribution from the powers you harm by your actions will likely convulse Asia but will certainly consume Japan. Let it not be said that no one could envision the worst possible course of events.

We refuse to wage war on our people so that you may indulge in the chicanery of an imperial ambition. And, we advise our treaty partners that should the Chinese army align with xenophobic elements, the value of retribution you might impose on China will be a shadow of the damage that would be inflicted on your trade revenue, assets, and war material. It is obviously in your interest as treaty partners to suppress the Japanese example and restore Chinese suzerainty over Tsintao or risk a convulsion that is many-fold more consequential to us all.

Leave Tsingtao in their indigenous hands or find your Asian policy entangled in the roots of cherry blossoms.

Grand Chancellor Ronglu