Mr. Denby to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, October 4, 1895.
(Received Nov. 19.)
No. 2385.]Sir: I have the honor to inform you that upon
representation being made to me by the American missionaries residing at
Taiku, in the province of Shansi, that trouble was apprehended, I
addressed the Yamên on the subject and demanded that repressive and
precautionary measures be immediately taken.
I inclose the Yamên’s reply, from which it appears that the local
authorities have been ordered “to examine into the matter and take
precautions against disturbances and to make earnest efforts to protect
foreigners.”
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 2385.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
Sir: We have had the honor to receive your
communication, wherein you state that at Taiku and vicinity, in the
province of Shansi, cartoons of the war are being offered for sale,
and it is being asserted that all the foreign powers were engaged in
hostilities with China. You state that reports of this character
tend to excite the populace, and that if measures are not taken to
hold them in check trouble will arise. You request us to instruct
the local officials of that vicinity to issue proclamations
informing the people that the cartoons and their narratives are mere
fabrications, in order that the people and the missions may remain
in harmony, and that the foreigners residing there may be
protected.
Upon receipt of your dispatch we at once perceived that reports of
this character might very easily cause trouble, and it therefore
became our duty to telegraph to the provincial authorities to
examine into the matter and take precautions against disturbances,
and to make earnest efforts to protect foreigners, and thus prevent
the occurrence of mishaps. We also send this note for your
excellency’s information.
