Mr. Denby to Mr. Blaine.
Peking, September 14, 1891. (Received October 27.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the British Government has chartered a steamer at Hankow, and has put aboard of it a company of marines, and has dispatched it to Ichang. It is understood that this company is not to land unless further action of the mob shall make it necessary to do so in order to protect foreigners.
The antiforeign feeling at Ichang is represented to be still very strong, and further outbreaks are anticipated. The commander of a British gunboat lying at Hankow called the day before yesterday, with Her Britannic Majesty’s consul, on the viceroy, Chang Chi Tung, at Wuchang, which is opposite to Hankow, and informed him that his orders were to open fire on the mob as soon as it appeared that one was organized. The viceroy was much surprised, and asked if the gunboat would really fire on the people. The commander answered that such were his orders, and that they would be unhesitatingly obeyed.
When the foreign office was informed by Her Britannic Majesty’s minister that the above action had been taken, the prince and ministers [Page 439] manifested great regret, and expressed the fear that there would be a collision between the marines and the people, which would still further complicate matters; but they were told that as it sufficiently appeared that China was unable or unwilling to protect foreigners, their own Governments were compelled to take steps to protect them.
Grave fears are entertained here that Chungking will be the next scene of rioting. This city is situated at the junction of the River Kia-ling Kiang with the Upper Yangtse, about 1,250 miles from its mouth. It has a population of 250,000. Vessels propelled by steam have never reached it.
We have two missions there—the American Baptist Missionary Union with four resident members and the Methodist Episcopal Mission with six members. The Bible Christian Mission, the China Inland Mission, the Friends Foreign Mission, the London Missionary Society, the National Bible Society of Scotland, and the Catholics are also represented at Chungking.
The city was the scene of extensive riots in 1886.
As the dreaded gunboat can not reach Chungking, the foreigners are at the mercy of the populace.
I have, etc.,