Mr. Denby to Mr. Blaine.
Peking, July 3, 1891. (Received August 17.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that news has reached Peking of the destruction by a mob of the French orphanage at a place called Haimen, directly opposite the island of Tsung Ming. This island lies at the mouth of the Yangtse and is only 47 miles from Shanghai.
There are reports also that a riot is in progress at Wenehow. This is one of the five ports opened to foreign trade by the Chefoo convention. It is the chief town of the department of the same name, occupying the southeast corner of Chekiang province. There are no Americans living there and but few foreigners. Two English missions have small stations there. Great Britain has a consul who acts also for Austria-Hungary and Germany, and Sweden and Norway have a consular agency.
The troubles originated between a band of brigands and the regular troops. The troops were taken captive and the brigands seem to have taken charge of the place and to have afterwards threatened to drive out the foreigners. These incidents indicate that the secret society, the Ko-lao Hui, has not been overawed by the imperial edict.
I have, etc.,