Mr. Denby to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, October 1, 1895.
(Received Nov. 8.)
No. 2379.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a
telegram received from Messrs. Hixson and Newell; also a copy of my
reply thereto; also a copy of my communication to the Tsung-li Yamên
relating to the complaints made by the commissioners that the
proceedings are impeded, and asking that stringent orders be issued to
the viceroy ordering him to facilitate in every way the labors of the
commission.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
2379—Telegram.]
Messrs. Hixson and
Newell to Mr. Denby.
Waiting for Chinese law to be enforced is rapidly rendering our
presence here a farce. Viceroy’s construction of the law, the
deceptive acts of officials here, together with gross apathy
displayed in making arrests and in conducting trials, cause alarm
among peaceful people and thereby with the connivance of officials
encourage Vegetarians openly to threaten native Christians. Failure
to obtain full and speedy justice and complete investigation will
prove lastingly injurious to United States interests in this
province, and foment a most virulent persecution of native
Christians. The good effect of the commission’s presence here is
being rapidly supplanted by a menacing attitude toward Christians
and foreigners. Indications point to the massacre as being an
offshoot of a contemplated rebellion. Between 200 and 300 were
engaged in massacre, and of these 45 only have been arrested.
Existing elements of an uprising are daily becoming more prominent by
acts and connivance of officials, and their evident antiforeign
feeling induces Vegetarians to openly boast of future hostile
intentions. Former open obstruction has been followed by evasion,
concealment, and deception, for the purpose of throttling the
committee and securing from punishment all vandals except those
actually inflicting death blows. Our helpless situation can be
relieved only by peremptory action coercing viceroy to cease at once
the scheming policy he is now carrying on through his subordinates
here. Unless this state of affairs changes it would be better to
give up the unequal struggle and return to Foochow until guarantees
are given for the uninterrupted prosecution of investigation.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
2379.—Telegram.]
Mr. Denby to
Mr. Hixson.
Have made urgent representations to the Tsung-li Yamên to issue
orders to the viceroy to cease to impede your efforts, and to order
his subordinates to assist you in every way. Viceroy of Szechuan has
been degraded and made forever incapable of holding office.
Subordinates will be punished. Quote the example.
[Page 154]
[Inclosure 3 in No.
2379.]
Mr. Denby to
the Tsung-li Yamên.
October 1,
1895.
No. 37.]
Your Highnesses and Your Excellencies: I
have the honor to inform you that I have received a communication
from the American commissioners at Kutien making grave complaints of
the conduct of affairs at that place. I call your attention to them
with the hope that you will take immediate steps to remedy the evils
complained of, so that the commission now sitting may speedily and
satisfactorily close its labors. It is said that gross apathy is
displayed in making arrests and in conducting trials, thereby
causing alarm among peaceful people and encouraging Vegetarians to
threaten native Christians. Such conduct will foment the persecution
of native Christians. There exists now a menacing attitude toward
Christians and foreigners. Indications point to the massacre as
being an offshoot of a contemplated rebellion, and in that view you
are greatly interested in assisting in every way the commission.
There were two or three hundred people engaged in the massacre and
only forty-five have been arrested. It is charged that the officials
pander to antiforeign feeling, which conduct induces the Vegetarians
to openly boast of future hostile intentions. Open obstruction has
been followed by invasion, concealment, and deception, used to
thwart the efforts of the commission and screen from punishment all
criminals except those who actually inflicted death blows.
I request that you will order the viceroy to cease any effort to
impede the progress of the commission, to warn his subordinates that
they must do their whole duty, and to push on as rapidly as possible
the pending examination.
