Mr. Denby to Mr. Blaine.
Peking, May 27, 1891. (Received July 2.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have received from the consul-general two telegrams of the 25th and 26th instant, respectively, as follows:
Jones telegraphs pillage at Nanking has commenced.
Mob checked at Nanking, but American Methodist Girls’ School fired and looted and others attacked. Soldiers dispersed mob.
Nanking is situated on the Yangtse, 204 miles from Shanghai and 47 from Chingkiang. It is possible that the new viceroy has not taken over the government of the province. From his former reputation, I should judge that no mob would occur while he was present in Nanking.
This occurrence surprises me very much. I have personally visited Nanking and was much gratified to learn that the best of feeling prevailed towards the American missionaries. Within the last few weeks I have had accounts of the extraordinary ovation which Dr. Beebe, the hospital physician, received when he was leaving the city. The local authorities attended him to his boat, he was followed by an immense procession of grateful people, and many presents were made to him. But these dispatches indicate that hostility to orphan asylums and girls schools is deeply embedded in the minds of the Chinese, and that it may break out at any moment in acts of outrage. I have done what I could here to meet this extraordinary emergency. I have demanded protection of the yamên and wired the admiral to send a ship immediately to the Yangtse. Besides addressing the yamên in writing, as shown by my dispatch No. 1304, of May 20, a committee of the foreign representatives had a conference lasting four hours with the yamên yesterday. The proceedings were somewhat stormy, but after a full discussion the yamên agreed that the ringleaders of the various riots shall be punished; that the Emperor shall issue a proclamation warning the people against rioting and maltreating foreigners; and that the local authorities shall be held personally responsible for all riots in their respective jurisdictions.
I very much fear that the mob spirit will reach Chingkiang, and sincerely hope that the Monocacy may arrive in time to overawe the populace. Peking may possibly be safe, owing to the actual presence of the Emperor here; but the missions located here are scattered and far apart, and native violence against them could wreak its purposes before any aid could be afforded. No city is safe, not even Shanghai. The vice-consul at Tien-Tsin writes me that no hostile movement or combination can be discovered among the people in that city. Still a dread pervades all minds here that there may be serious riots at Tien-Tsin. I very much fear, also, for Hankow, where there is an immense orphan asylum under Catholic control. The only hope is in the firmness of Chang Chi Tung, the present viceroy. As I write a telegram to the chargé of France reaches me to the effect that the Catholic Mission at Nanking was also attacked. No lives were lost. All the missionaries have left Nanking. Grave fears are entertained even at Shanghai.
I have, etc.,