Mr. Denby to Mr. Blaine.
Pelting, July 12, 1891. (Received August 31.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the destruction by mobs of the Roman Catholic chapels still continues. On the 29th of June the buildings at Tankao were destroyed. Tankao is situate in the province of Kiangsu and is not far from Tongchow, an important town. In Kiangsi, near the city of Fuchau, four chapels have been recently destroyed. It is expected that the destruction of the Lazarist establishment at Kanchang Fu, the capital of Kiangsi, on the Poyang Lake, will shortly take place. There is great excitement at Canton, owing to hostile placards having been put up, and the foreigners are organizing for defense. There can be little question that there is an organized scheme to destroy all the Roman Catholic establishments in the interior. Other missions will be more or less involved. There are also rumors of insurrections in Kiangsu and Shensi. It remains to be seen whether these outrages owe their origin to the secret societies or are the product of antiforeign sentiment only. It is said here that France has demanded 8,000,000 taels damages. According to all appearances, the bill will be increased by the happening of further outrages.
I have, etc.,