Mr. Denby to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, August 27, 1895.
(Received Oct. 8.)
No. 2325.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a translation
of a communication from the Tsung-li Yamên bearing date the 23d instant;
also a translation of the 24th instant; also a copy of my answer to
these communications.
The two papers from the Yamên relate to the Kutien riot. They mildly
protest against our Government’s taking so much interest in the
investigation now proceeding at Kutien. They ask that the order of the
Admiral directing a naval commander to go to Kutien be rescinded.
I was first made aware that a naval commander was to go on this mission
by these communications. I received later a letter from the Admiral,
wherein he stated that he had been “directed to appoint a commanding
officer as member of a committee to investigate Kutien affair, if
requested by the United States minister to China.”
He further said: “As stated in previous communications, the commanding
officer of the Detroit has appointed an officer
to accompany the consul.”
I have received no intimation from you that you thought it advisable to
send an additional officer to Kutien. I do not think it necessary to
send thither a commander. It might delay proceedings, as a Chinese
official of higher rank than the one already named would have to be
selected.
I accordingly wired the Admiral under date the 26th instant as follows:
Admiral Carpenter, Chefoo:
If sending commander to Kutien depends on my request, must say I
see no necessity for sending another officer.
Denby.
I have, etc.,
[Page 119]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
2325—Translation.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
Your Excellency: We have had the honor to
receive your excellency’s note wherein you state that it is of the
highest importance that the Government of China should immediately
send a high official to Kutien to cooperate with the British and
American consuls in investigating the recent horrible massacre,
etc.
It is the opinion of the Yamên that an officer, or officers, must
necessarily be appointed to act conjointly with the consuls in
investigating the Kutien case. A telegram has just been received by
the Yamên from the governor-general of Fuhkien, stating that an
additional appointment had been made, in the person of Mr. Hsü
Hsing-i, a taotai by rank, who is to cooperate with the consuls in
dealing with the Kutien affair, so that extra care may be taken in
the matter. The United States vice-consul at Foochow proposes to
order a commander of a United States war vessel to proceed to
Kutien. This would not be right and proper so far as the province of
Fuhkien is concerned.
There was no damage or loss to American property at Kutien, and only
one American received a slight personal injury.
The United States consul has gone to Kutien and he will be able
himself to perform his duty in good earnest. There is no necessity
for a naval commander going there.
We beg that your excellency will telegraph at once to the Foochow
consul to order the naval officer in question not to go to Kutien,
and do us the favor to send a reply to this note, which is
important.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
2325—Translation.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
Your Excellency: The prince and ministers
had the honor, on the 21st instant, to receive a communication from
the minister of the United States stating that the United States
consul reports from Kutien that the officials obstruct his
inquiries, insist on referring to the viceroy, and question his
right to be present at the examination of the persons arrested.
The minister of the United States asked that telegraphic instructions
be sent immediately to the local authorities to facilitate in every
manner the inquiries of the American consul, and to inform them that
he is to be present at the examination of persons arrested; and he
requested further, as he did on the 20th instant, that an official
of high rank be deputed to cooperate with and assist the American
consul’s inquiries, etc.
On the 22d of August the prince and ministers received a further
communication from the minister of the United States to effect that
he had received a telegram from the Secretary of State requesting
him to ascertain from the Chinese Government and report the names
and rank of the Chinese officials appointed to investigate into the
Kutien riots, as it was regarded essential that they be of the
highest rank, as the case is one of a most important nature, and one
that should not be investigated by officials of low rank.
The minister of the United States requested an early answer, in order
that he might telegraph the same to his Government.
[Page 120]
In regard to the Kutien case, the prince and ministers have the honor
to state that the viceroy of Fuhkien telegraphed announcing the
appointment of Hsü Hsing-i, a taotai by rank, to hold an
investigation into the affair. The said officer is of high rank, and
will show extra care in the performance of his duty. This
appointment was duly made known to the minister of the United States
by note of yesterday.
The Yamên has already addressed Sir Nicholas O’Conor, Her Britannic
Majesty’s minister, on the subject of his consul going to Kutien to
watch the case.
As no Americans have suffered any loss at Kutien, the minister of the
United States is asked to take into consideration the question
whether the United States consul should have gone there to watch the
proceedings in the case and to instruct him accordingly.
The prince and ministers would beg the minister of the United States
to be good enough to transmit this communication for the information
of the Honorable Secretary of State.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
2325.]
Mr. Denby to
the Tsung-li Yamên.
Your Highnesses and Your Excellencies: I
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your notes of the 23d
and 24th instant.
You inform me in the first thereof that Mr. Hsü Hsing-i, a taotai by
rank, has been appointed to go to Kutien to cooperate with the
consuls.
You state that there was slight damage done to Americans at Kutien.
That is happily true, but it was purely accidental that such was the
case. My Government has many citizens in China, and it is greatly
interested in their safety, which is, of course, imperiled by
antiforeign riots.
As to the sending of a naval commander to Kutien in addition to the
officer already sent, I will inquire into the matter.
In your second note you inform me again of the appointment of Hsü
Hsing-i on the Kutien investigating commission, and you say: “As no
Americans have suffered any loss at Kutien, the minister of the
United States is asked to take into consideration the question
whether the United States consul should have gone there to watch the
proceedings, etc.”
It is too late to raise this question. An American lady was injured
at Kutien. The cause of her injuries is a proper subject of
investigation by her Government.
Translation of a cablegram from the Tsung-li
Yamên, dated August 27, 1895.
[Handed by Chinese minister to Mr.
Adee, August 29,
1895.]
A telegram from Foochow reports that an officer from an American
gunboat desires to proceed to Kutien (Kucheng). United States Consul
Hixson has already started. In the riot one American citizen was
wounded, but has since recovered. British interests being distinct
from American, the Fuhkien authorities desire that Minister Denby be
asked
[Page 121]
to instruct Consul
Hixson to exercise greater moderation. Your cablegram of the 21st
instant states that State Department has cabled instructions to
Minister Denby to secure a thorough investigation as a basis for a
fair settlement, and that the United States would not cooperate with
Britain to throw difficulties in the way of the investigation.
Minister Denby’s correspondence is incriminatory in tone and not
unlike that of the British minister. The Secretary of State should
be informed of the above and requested to cable satisfactory
instructions, through Minister Denby, to said consul and naval
officer for their guidance. Cable reply.
