No. 179.
Mr. Angell
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, August 20, 1880.
(Received October 12.)
No. 8.]
Sir: Referring to Mr. Seward’s dispatch No. 719, of
July 6 ultimo, which covered a correspondence had with Mr. Consul Lord, of
Ningpo? regarding the adoption of the rule that our officials should use
only the English language in addressing the Chinese authorities, I have now
the honor to hand you a copy of a further dispatch from Mr. Lord, together
with a copy of my response.
While admitting the desirability of a change in this regard, I am of the
opinion that it cannot suddenly be made, but must come gradually as the
Chinese become provided with competent interpreters from among their own
people.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 8.]
Mr. Lord to Mr.
Seward.
Ningpo, July 22,
1880.
No. 127.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 124,
remarking on the impolicy of continuing to forego the right of using our
own language in making communications to the Chinese authorities and to
your “dispatch No. 69, in reply thereto, I have now a remark or two
further that I should like to add.
[Page 295]
- First. I am much pleased with the approbation which you expressed
of my views, and the encouragement which you gave to any attempt
that I might make to carry out these views, so far as it could be
done without detriment to the interests committed to my care.
- Second. This encouragement is in itself valuable, asunder its
influence a consul will, no doubt, find opportunities to do
something in the direction of the reform desired. Still the reform
must go on but slowly unless action is taken on the subject at
Peking. What seems to be needed is that the foreign ministers there
should unite in reminding the Chinese Government that the time has
now come when it can and should provide its own translators. But if
concerted action cannot be had, individual action might do, since
what is desired is so obviously our right, both by the usage of
nations and the stipulations of treaties. What is chiefly wanted is
that the Peking Government should understand and assent to the
desired arrangement, and that it should send to its provincial
authorities the instructions needed in regard to it. Without such
instructions these authorities will neither accept the situation nor
make any preparations for it. If reminded that the situation belongs
to them not only by the usage of nations, but by the stipulation of
treaties, they would doubtless reply that the stipulation referred
to, to receive without translations the communications of foreign
officials, related to future time and future circumstances, and that
these have not yet arrived; or if they have they are not supposed to
know it until informed by their government.
But I need not multiply words on the subject. Your own knowledge and
experience must show you how little consuls can do in a matter of this
kind without ministerial help. I can only hope that such help may be
possible and speedy, for, to my mind, the subject is one of very great importance.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 8.]
Mr. Angell to Mr.
Lord.
Peking, August 20,
1880.
No. 3.]
Sir: Your dispatch No. 127 to my predecessor in
office, Mr. Seward, calling attention to the desirableness of action of
the diplomatic body at Peking in order to facilitate the adoption of the
rule of addressing the Chinese authorities in our own language is before
me.
I take pleasure in saying that I am in hearty accord with your views.
Those views are, indeed, recognized formally in the instructions of the
Department to the diplomatic representatives of the United States.
I shall be glad to improve any proper opportunity to hasten the result
you desire, but progress in that direction must, of course, be somewhat
slow, and there are, doubtless, some incidental advantages, which your
long experience in China enables you to appreciate, in using their
language as a medium of communication with the Chinese.
I am, &c.,
