Mr. Denby to Mr.
Blaine.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, October 31, 1891.
(Received December 11.)
No. 1415.]Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have
received from the foreign office a communication, a translation whereof is
inclosed. It appears therefrom that the difficulties heretofore existing at
Chinanfu, in Shantung, “have all been cleared away.” Mr. Reid has been
authorized to acquire land, and there is no objection thereto on the part of
the literati or people. This happy termination of a long-standing
controversy is the cause of special joy to this legation, which I hope will
be participated in by the Department.
It is proper to state, however, that the claim of the American Episcopal
Mission for damages for the destruction of its property at Ichang is not
settled, and that it may finally reach the legation.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
1415.—Translation.]
The tsung-li yamên to Mr.
Denby.
Peking, October 30,
1891.
Informal.]Your Excellency: We have the honor to state
that we have received a telegram from the governor of Shantung reporting
that the case involving the purchase of land by Gilbert Reid at
Chinanfu, in Shantung, has been settled. In our recent personal
interview we informed your excellency of this. The telegram which we had
then received, however, was not very explicit, and we telegraphed for
further details. We have now received a reply that all the difficulties
in Mr. Reid’s affairs have been cleared away. The authorization to him
to find a house for a dispensary has been explained by authorized
subordinate officials to the satisfaction of the literati and people,
and no objections thereto exist among them.
Your excellency has, we suppose, already received a letter to this effect
from Mr. Reid.
In making this communication for your excellency’s information, we avail
of the occasion to wish you prosperity.
Cards inclosed.
