Mr. Denby to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, July 1, 1895.
(Received Aug. 7.)
No. 2278.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a
communication sent by me to the Tsung-li Yamên relating to a proposal of
the mode of settling the matters growing out of the recent riots in
Szechuan.
In 1886, when riots occurred at Chungking, I requested the English consul
at that port to take charge of and arrange for the settlement of matters
affecting American interests. He acted very satisfactorily, and his
conduct was approved by the Department and all the interested
parties.
I have in this case requested Mr. Tratman, Her Britannic Majesty’s consul
at Chungking, to do what is necessary to secure damages for the
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American missionaries, and Her
Britannic Majesty’s minister has kindly consented that he may act for
us. The proposition sent to the Yamên provides for the appointment of a
commission composed of certain Chinese officials and one British and one
American commissioner to take all the facts and circumstances into
consideration and to report to Peking. As our nearest consul is at
Hankow and it would take him two or three months to reach Chungking,
this course seemed advisable. I submit my action for your approval. The
Yamên has not yet approved of the mode of settlement proposed.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 2278.]
Mr. Denby to
the Tsung-li Yamên.
A commission should be appointed, composed of the new viceroy of
Szechuan, the treasurer and judge of the province, with whom should
be associated two missionaries—one British and one American—for the
purpose of investigating on the spot the circumstances connected
with the origin of the riots, for inquiring into and determining the
losses sustained by British and Americans in consequence of the
riot, and fixing the amount of the indemnity to which in each case
the claimants are entitled, and for making such other arrangements
and dispositions as on mutual consultation may be found necessary to
secure the settlement of the present difficulties and the prevention
of future trouble.
The commissioners should submit a report of the proceedings of the
conference and of the conclusions at which they have arrived to
their respective authorities at Peking, who should take into
consideration the suggestions and recommendations they had made and
pronounce a final decision.
In view of the fact that the United States have no consul nearer than
Hankow, I have requested Her Britannic Majesty’s minister to permit
Her Britannic Majesty’s consul at Chungking to take charge of
American interests and to choose a suitable person to serve as the
American commissioner.
I trust that telegraphic orders will be sent to the Chinese
commissioners to hold themselves in readiness for the inquiry.
As soon as I am informed that this proposal is adopted by the
Tsung-li Yamên I will notify Her Britannic Majesty’s consul at
Chungking to nominate the American commissioner and desire him to
join his Chinese and British colleagues at Chengtu immediately.
