Mr. Denby to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, November 12, 1890.
(Received January 7, 1891.)
No. 1192.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose to you a
translation of the reply of the foreign office to my communication relating
to the Chinanfu troubles, a copy whereof was inclosed in my dispatch No.
1190, of the 7th instant.
It will be seen that the yamén reiterates the statement that I stated on
divers occasions that the missionaries did not insist on any particular
tract of land. Their action now, says the yamén, is at variance with former
representations. Nevertheless, the yamén has again addressed the governor of
Shantung, “requesting him to instruct the local authorities to
satisfactorily discuss the matter.” I await the answer of the governor to
this suggestion.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
1192—Translation.]
The tsung-li yamén to Mr.
Denby.
Peking, November 10,
1890.
Your Excellency: The ministers had the honor to
receive a short time ago a note from your excellency in regard to the
Chinanfu case, wherein you remarked that the missionaries were still
desirous to acquire property in the city, and that they were willing to
surrender and give up on equitable terms the suburban property, and you
requested that the local authorities be instructed to confer with the
missionaries and arrange the matter in a spirit of justice and equity.
With reference to this case, your excellency, in repeated
communications, stated that the missionaries did not insist on any
particular place, but were willing to accept any site that the officials
were willing they should occupy. The officials thereupon exerted
themselves, devised measures, and arranged for the missionaries the
purchase of a large tract of land. This land the missionaries now wish
to surrender and find another site. This is entirely in contradiction to
the statements previously made by your excellency; but, as you have
requested in your note that the question may be considered, the yamén
have again addressed the governor of Shantung to instruct the officials
to satisfactorily discuss the matter. Should it be found, however, that
the feeling and sentiment of the people are against the missionaries
(acquiring a site) in the city, then the officials can not force or
compel (the people) in a matter so difficult. On receipt of a reply from
Shantung the ministers will again address your excellency. In the
meantime they address this note to your excellency for your
information.
