Mr. Denby to Mr. Olney.
Peking, August 19, 1895. (Received Sept. 26.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have received from Consul Hixson a report on the horrible massacre of missionaries in the Kutien district near Foochow.
The consul has no doubt reported in full to the Department, and I will not go into details. The riot commenced early on the morning of the 1st instant. There were nine persons killed on the spot; one died soon afterwards from wounds, making ten dead in all. A wounded child will die, another is in a serious condition, and a young lady will be disfigured for life.
Miss Mabel Hartford, of Portsmouth, N. H., connected with the Methodist Episcopal mission, is the only American who was injured. Her actual wounds are not serious, but she is prostrated from the effects of excitement, and her condition is doubtful. All the other victims were British subjects, and all ladies and children, except Mr. Stewart.
The riot, the consul says, is supposed to have been planned by a secret society called “Vegetarians,” who seem to be organizing for a rebellion. The members do not eat meat or drink intoxicants or smoke opium or [Page 112] tobacco. The movement is, however, said to be really against the Government, as that of the Ko-lao hui is.
The strength of this society in Kutien is 10,000, as is claimed, but the consul thinks its number is exaggerated because the Government desires to shirk responsibility on the plea of the movement being a rebellion. The local officials are imbeciles.
The consul has gone to Kutien to investigate the causes of the riots. I took the responsibility of advising him to go before I heard from the Department, and was glad to see that your views agreed with mine in all respects as to his mission.
I have, etc.,