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  4. Document 344

Mr. Denby to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, December 24, 1890. (Received February 20, 1891.)
No. 1218.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of the protocol on the audience question, signed the 15th ultimo by the foreign representatives. As the proceedings taken here now will establish a precedent for all future action, I deem it wise to follow the example of Mr. Low, set in 1873, and to send to you faithful copies of all the procedures taken either by the yamén or the ministers.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.
[Inclosure in No. 1218.]

Protocol of the meeting of the foreign representatives at the German legation on Monday, December 15, 1890.

  • Present: The representatives of the German Empire, the French Republic, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United States. The representatives of Belgium, Great Britain, and Spain were prevented by indisposition from attending, Mr. de Uribari being represented by Count de Llorente, third secretary of the Spanish legation.

It was agreed upon:

(1)
That the note of the tsung-li yamén, dated December 14, communicating the imperial edict of the 12th of the same month, referring to the reception by the Emperor of the foreign representatives in the first month (Chinese) of the next year should be simply acknowledged by each legation separately.
(2)
That Mr. von Brandt, as doyen, should ask the prince and ministers of the yamén for an interview in order to receive a communication in the name of all the foreign representatives.
(3)
That at this interview Mr. von Brandt should try to obtain some information about the intentions of the yamén and should impress upon the latter the necessity of communicating and coming to an understanding with the foreign representatives upon submitting their report and proposals on the audience question to the Throne.

The results of this meeting have been communicated to the representatives of Belgium and Great Britain.

  • M. v. Brandt.
  • Charles Denby.
  • John Walsham.
  • K. Otori.
  • A. Pansa.
  • J. H. Ferguson.
  • R. Gil de Uribari.
  • C. Kleiménon.
  • P. Ristelhueber.
  • Charles Michel.