I took occasion a few days ago to represent to the yamên that my advices were
that there was great danger of a riot at Wuchang, and to urge the necessity
of taking strong measures for the protection of the missionaries located
there, some of whom are Americans.
It will be seen from the inclosure that the necessary orders have been
issued.
We have no news of any riot since the one at Ichang.
[Inclosure No. 1391.]
The tsung-li yamên to Mr.
Denby.
Peking, September 19,
1891.
Your Excellency: We have had the honor to
receive your excellency’s note (of the 15th instant) to the effect that
you had received a telegram from the American consul at Hankow, wherein
he reports that there is danger of a riot at Wuchang, and he desires
that immediate instructions be sent to the viceroy to protect
foreigners, and recommends that a high official be sent to inquire into
disturbances in Hupeh, etc.
The yamên some days ago, having heard certain reports, telegraphed to the
governor-general of the Hu Kwang provinces to take precautionary
measures to prevent any trouble. On the 15th of September the yamên
received a telegram in reply from that officer, stating “that strenuous
measures must be adopted to give protection.” He further stated that he
had already instructed both the civil and military authorities under his
jurisdiction to use every effort in seeing that foreigners were duly
protected.
“The cause of the recent riots against missionaries in the several
provinces has been the posting of anonymous placards. These have been of
the greatest evil and injury. Some have been in the form of pictures and
others in verse. The false
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reports have been circulated broadcast, and the ignorant people,
believing them, have become excited and their feelings aroused.
“Proclamations have been put up offering rewards, and on the arrest of
the persons who have circulated these anonymous placards they will at
once be punished by decapitation.”
We (the ministers) would observe that Wuchang is not a treaty port and
there are no foreign hongs established there, only missionaries. The
governor-general of Hu Kwang has already taken precautionary measures
and deputed officials to give the necessary protection, and we think
there will not be any trouble. Besides, strenuous prohibitory
proclamations have been published against the circulating of false
rumors, and those guilty of this will have capital punishment meted out
to them.
The action taken to protect foreigners by the authorities of said
province may be said to be in accordance with treaty stipulations, and
they have not shown a want of energy in this respect.
As to the statement in your excellency’s dispatch about deputing an
officer to investigate matters in Hupeh, we would remark that the
governor-general of Hu Kwang is an official of high rank. He has been
scrupulously careful in the action he has taken, and it would therefore
seem unnecessary to appoint another officer, thus dividing the
responsibility, which would prove embarrassing and detrimental.
Cards with compliments of ministers.
