伊丽莎白·怀特(Elizabeth A.White)致孙中山函 (1912年1月2日)

伊丽莎白·怀特(Elizabeth A.White),即裕德龄。

(原文)

40 Seymour Road,Shanghai, January 2nd, 1912

My dear Dr.Sun:

I have been most anxious to meet & have a talk with you & had asked Dr.Wu Ting Fang to give me a letter of introduction to you, but you get away before he could give it to me, so I am taking the liberty of writing to you direct.

Although married to an American, I am a Chinese & possibly not unknown to you.My father, the Late Lord Ju Keng was minister to Japan & afterwards went to France.I am very much interested in the endeavor to give China freedom & shall be much pleased if I can do something to assist.I have been approached by several of my foreign friends, who have arms & ammunition they wish to sell, to assist China.One friend in particular has a quantity of Manure rifles, 1904 model, which he is willing to sell at a very reasonable price, for quick delivery.He is asking $42 for one rifle, bayonet, cartridge belt & 100 rounds for ammunition & $7.25 per 100 rounds for additional ammunition.

Comparing this price & the quality of the cargo, with what the Chinese have bought previously, it is exceeding low.I enclosed you herewith a copy of productions.

I sincerely trust you will be interested in purchasing this cargo for several reasons.First it is the only cargo which can be delivered within one week after inspection, second, several inquiries have been received from the imperialists & last I should think you would need a very large amount of army equipment to be able to property protect such a vast country.

As my friend, who is an American, will endeavor to dispose of this cargo as soon as possible, I shall very much appreciate your kindness in sending me an early reply.

Looking forward to the pleasure of meeting you in the near future & thanking you in advance for your early favorable reply.

Yours truly,

Elizabeth A.White

Copy of Data

50,000 Mauser model rifles, 6.9mm, cabiber (not 7.9), 5shots, M1, including bayonet, cartridge belt and 100 rounds of ammunition with each rifle, all in fast serviceable condition, delivered to any point designated by the buyer, price $42.00 each.

20,000,000 additional rounds of ammunition delivered to any point designated by the buyer, price $7.25 per 100 rounds.

War risks, seizure etc.,after departure from port of loading, to be borne by the buyer.

Inspection and acceptance of goods to be made at the port of loading by representation of the buyer with full authority to act in such capacity.

All goods, including ammunition, guaranteed to be in first class serviceable condition.

Delivery of good guaranteed within 5 to 7 days after inspection and acceptance.

(译文)

上海西摩路40号,1912 年1月2日

尊敬的孙博士:

我一直很想拜见您,与您谈话,并已请求伍廷芳博士给我写您的介绍信。但他的信到之前,您已经离开了,所以我冒昧直接写信给您。

虽然嫁给一个美国人,但您可能不知道,我是一个中国人。我父亲,前公爵裕庚是驻日本公使,后来去了法国。我十分关注中国的自由事业,如果我可以提供一些帮助的话将十分高兴。我已经接触过几位外国友人,他们有武器和弹药,希望出售以帮助中国。特别是一个朋友有大量的毛瑟步枪,1904模型,愿意以合理的价格出售,快速交货。他报价42美元,包括一支步枪、插装带和100轮子弹,额外子弹每100轮7.25美元。

这个价格和货物质量,与中国人以前买的比,它是很低廉的。随函附上一份产品副本。

我真诚地相信您会有兴趣购买这种货物。原因如下:首先它是唯一的可在验货一周内交付的货物。第二,已多次收到来自朝廷一方的问询。最后,我想你会需要大量的陆军装备,保护这样一个幅员辽阔的国家。

我的朋友是个美国人,愿意尽快处置这批货物。如能给我一个尽早的答复,我将非常感谢您的善意。

期待不久就能高兴地与您会面,并提前感谢您尽早的肯定答复。

伊丽莎白·怀特 谨呈

清单:

50,000枝毛瑟步枪,口径6.9mm(非7.9),5连射,M1型,每把步枪配刺刀、子弹带和100发子弹,都以快速交付为条件,交付给买方指定的任何地点,价格42美元。

另外有2000万发弹药被运送到买方指定的任一地点,价格每100轮7.25美元。

从装货港出发后,战争险、扣押等由买方承担。

买方在装货港所作的检验和验收,买方代表拥有全权。

保证对包括弹药在内的所有货物提供一流服务。

检查和验收后保证在5至7天内交货。