Mr. Denby to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, August 9, 1895.
(Received Sept. 23.)
No. 2303.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a translation
of a commutation from the Tsung-li Yamên, relating to the recent riots
at Kutien in the Province of Fuhkien. It will be seen that the Yamên has
ordered the arrest and punishment of the murderers, and that protection
be insured to foreigners.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
2303—Translation.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
Your Excellency: We had the honor on the
5th instant to receive your excellency’s note stating that it had
come to your knowledge that a riot of a serious nature had taken
place at Kutien, in the province of Fuhkien, and that a number of
foreigners had been murdered; that you desired to express your
horror and regret at this outrageous occurrence against peaceable
people, and to ask that telegraphic instructions be at once sent to
the viceroy at Foochow to use every means in his power to give full
and adequate protection to Americans residing in the province.
With regard to the riot at Kutien, where foreigners were murdered, we
have the honor to state that on the 5th of August an imperial decree
was issued, which was telegraphed to the governor-general of
Foochow, ordering that officer to vigorously arrest the persons
concerned in the riot and murder and to punish them according to
law.
Further, the local officials have been instructed to spare no measure
in giving due protection to foreigners and to prevent further riots.
The
[Page 102]
telegraphic reply
received, from Foochow does not give full particulars of the riot,
and the Yamên again ordered that these be punished, but up to the
present no further telegrams have been received.
Any further news that your excellency may have received during the
past few days we will thank you to communicate to the Yamên and
oblige.
