Mr. Breckinridge to Mr. Olney.
St. Petersburg, August 15, 1895. (Received Sept. 3.)
Sir: Referring to Mr. Uhl’s No. 57, of May 16, 1895, I now have to report the status of the request that certain American missionaries in China be permitted to take refuge across the Russian frontier in case they found it necessary to do so for the protection of their lives.
The case was first presented to the foreign office by Mr. Peirce’s note of June 4, copy of which you have.
Upon my return from leave of absence, feeling that this matter might be one of life and death to some of our missionaries of both sexes, and possibly to children as well, stationed at remote points in China, I called upon Prince Lobanow upon the subject. This was the latter part of June. In this interview I dwelt upon the moral and physical aspects of the case, commenting upon its importance, since it has come to us, even if the danger were over; and I emphasized the fact that it was not for these people as ecclesiastics that admission to Russia was desired, but as men and women in danger of their lives, and that they would be expected, of course, to conform to the laws of the country in which they sought refuge. I also represented to him the preeminent worth and law-abiding character of our missionaries. I did this more [Page 1076] particularly as the Greek Church never sends out missionaries, nor is missionary work, as we understand it, permitted in Russia, and Russians are apt to look upon such people as agitators with political ends in view. Prince Lobanow neither affirmed nor denied that Russian law and practice was as strict as had been represented in regard to ministers of the gospel entering Siberia, but the spirit of his remarks was considerate and gratifying. He promised to give the subject his personal attention, and I expressed the earnest hope that it could be brought to both a favorable and speedy conclusion.
Subsequently I called upon Count Kapuist, who has charge of the Asiatic division of the foreign office. He told me that inquiry had been made, and that I would be informed of the result as soon as a reply was received. He also said that the law in regard to ministers of religious denominations entering Siberia was very strict. I replied that I presumed so from the statements made to Mr. Denby by their representative at Peking, and that it seemed to me the case presented as it stood all that could be necessary in regard to the proposition of making an exception, as they have power to do, to meet the present exigency. I requested the Count, if he felt that he had to await the result of an inquiry, to use the telegraph, both to provide against any danger that might exist and to remove, I hoped, the attitude of our being denied the benefit of friendly shelter for our citizens in peril of their lives. While I left with some hope that Count Kapuist might expedite the intelligence as a matter of accommodation, yet I received no impression that he viewed the matter in any of its aspects as it appeared to me.
Upon the recent renewal of violence in China I addressed Prince Lobanow a note, dated August 8, copy of which is inclosed, calling attention to the fact that I had been prevented from again presenting the matter in person by his inability to receive the diplomatic corps upon his previous reception day, and that I was desirous to know that the note promptly reached him. I requested the kindness and honor of an acknowledgment of its receipt.
I have, etc.