Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1895, Part I
Mr. Denby to Mr. Olney.
Peking, September 16, 1895. (Received Nov. 8.)
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a translation of a communication received by me from the Tsung-li Yamên, relating to the proposed American commission to investigate the Szechuan riots; also a copy of my communication in reply thereto.
I have, etc.,
The Tsung-li Yamên to Mr. Denby.
Upon the 14th instant the prince and ministers had the honor to receive a communication from the minister of the United States, wherein he stated that he had received telegraphic instructions from the Government of the United States on the subject of the American commission to investigate the Szechuan riots, and the Yamên was requested to appoint an official of high rank to proceed with the commissioners of the United States and sit with them, etc.
In reply the prince and ministers would state that in the communication of the minister of the United States, dated July 1 last, he indorsed the proposals of Her Britannic Majesty’s minister as to the mode of procedure to be adopted in dealing with the case; that the British minister [Page 136] had been requested to permit Her Britannic Majesty’s consul at Chungking, Mr. Tratman, to take charge of American interests and to choose an American missionary to act with his British colleague, etc., and he requested that telegraphic orders be sent to Szechuan for the Chinese commissioners to hold themselves in readiness for the inquiry, etc.
On the 28th of June the Yamên wired the high authorities of Szechuan to appoint proper and suitable deputies to meet the British and American missionaries on their arrival at the capital, and to act with them in considering and taking action upon the matters at stake. This was communicated to the minister of the United States on the 6th of July last. In this matter, the minister of the United States had settled in consultation with Her Britannic Majesty’s minister that Mr. Consul Tratman, at Chungking, should represent American interests, a plan of action decidedly most excellent and capital.
The Yamên have sent repeatedly urgent and pressing telegrams to Szechuan to lose no time in bringing about a settlement of the cases. How could the Chinese officials there be wanting in courtesy and have the intention to not cooperate in this matter!
The prince and ministers request the minister of the United States to be good enough to telegraph his Government to still take action as formerly arranged and not send a commission to Szechuan. The Yamên will again urge the officials there to speedily bring the case to a close. Bearing in mind that the minister of the United States has always acted justly in the administration of business, he will not first have one way of dealing and then another.
The prince and ministers beg that the minister of the United States will favor them with a reply.
Mr. Denby to the Tsung-li Yamên.
Upon the 15th instant the minister of the United States had the honor to receive from the prince and ministers a communication in which they state that in the communication of the minister of the United States of July 1 he indorsed the proposal of the British minister as to mode of procedure to be adopted in dealing with the Szechuan riots case; that the British minister had been requested to permit Her Britannic Majesty’s consul at Chungking to take charge of American interests and for an American missionary to be appointed on the commission, and for Chinese commissioners to be appointed, etc.
The prince and ministers request the minister of the United States to telegraph to his Government to take such action as formerly arranged.
The communication under consideration is identical with the communication sent by the prince and ministers of the 10th instant. It would seem to be unnecessary to send two identical communications in less than six days.
My Government has been minutely informed of the contents of my communication to you of the 1st of July, of which a copy was forwarded to it.
It is not at all necessary to revert to the agreement made in cooperation with Her Britannic Majesty’s minister. That agreement was never put in execution. No commission was ever organized.
With full knowledge of all the facts, my Government has ordered me [Page 137] to organize a separate American commission to find out the facts touching the driving out from Szechuan of twenty-four American men, women, and children, and the burning of their homes, and the destruction of their property, and other wrongs and injuries. Under the treaties and law of nations there can not be the least doubt that my Government has the right to send a commission to Chengtu to investigate the riots. I will not advise it not to do so. I had an intimation from my Government that you would now consent to cooperate with the United States in the holding of this commission.
I ask an immediate answer in plain words as to whether you will cooperate or not. In order that it may not be said that I have neglected any opportunity to urge upon you a proper conclusion, I will again personally call upon you to-morrow at 3 o’clock, if you will receive me, unless I have before that time received a favorable answer to this communication.
Your attention is called in conclusion to the following article, Section II, of the Chefoo convention:
Article 3. It is agreed that whenever a crime is committed affecting the person or property of a British subject, whether in the interior or at the open ports, the British minister shall be free to send officers to the spot to be present at the investigation.