Mr. Denby to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, October 28,
1895. (Received Dec. 5.)
No. 2409.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose a translation
of a communication from the Tsung-li Yamên, wherein it informs me that
two officials have been detailed to meet the Szechuan investigating
commission at the boundary of Szechuan and to take charge of the members
of the commission; also that the provincial judge, Wen Kuang, has been
ordered to cooperate with them in their investigations.
I know of no reason why this official should not perform the duty
assigned him, though I had previously suggested the appointment of one
from another province.
As, however, all the officials who were implicated in the riots have now
been degraded or removed from office, it does not appear that this
appointment is objectionable, while the judicial rank of the appointee
will give dignity and efficiency to the investigation. At all events, if
there be any valid objection to this official serving in the manner
stated the commission will, no doubt, make it known.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 2409.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
Your Excellency: We have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your note of recent date stating that the
American Szechuan investigating commission had started for Chengtu
and thanking us for the escort supplied them. In this note you
referred to your previous request that a proper official be
designated to await the arrival of the commission in Szechuan and to
cooperate with it in its investigations, and you asked to be
informed of this official’s name and rank.
We are now in receipt of a telegram from the viceroy of Szechuan
stating that he has detailed Captain Su Pei-tai and District
Magistrate Kang Shou-tung to proceed with dispatch to the boundary
between Szechuan and Shensi and to take charge of the American
officials upon their arrival at Szechuan. The provincial judge, Wen
Kuang, who has been ordered to cooperate with them in their
investigations, is already in Szechuan expecting them.
In sending this note for your excellency’s information we renew our
compliments.
