Mr. Breckinridge to
Mr. Olney.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, September 17,
1895. (Received Oct. 3.)
No. 140.]
Sir: Referring to the legation’s No. 132, of
August 24, I now have to inclose translation of a note just received
from Mr. Chichkine stating that the minister of the interior consents to
our missionaries in China entering Siberia without previous condition or
agreement, it only being required of them to agree with the local
officials in writing to abstain from all interference with religious
matters while there.
I also inclose copy of my note of this date, acknowledging this
compliance with the request.
Mr. Adee’s No. 110, of the 4th instant, expressing gratification at the
receipt of my telegram of August 23, is to hand.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
140.—Translation.]
Mr. Chichkine to
Mr. Breckinridge.
Asiatic Department,
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs,
September 4/16,
1895.
Mr. Envoy: In reply to the note which you
have had the goodness to address to Prince Lobanow-Rostrovsky the
12/24 of August last, I have the honor to inform you that the
ministry of the interior does not find
[Page 1081]
it inconvenient to permit the American
missionaries seeking refuge in Siberia to pass the Russian frontier
without, as a preliminary, obligating themselves to abstain from all
religious propoganda and all interference in religious affairs. The
missionaries in question will be required to deliver in writing
obligations of this nature to the local Russian authorities after
having passed on to the territory of the Empire.
Will you accept, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
140.]
Mr. Breckinridge
to Mr. Chichkine.
Legation of the United States,
St. Petersburg, September 5/17, 1895.
Your Excellency: I have the honor and very
great pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 4/16
instant, in which you have the goodness to inform me that his
excellency the minister of the interior graciously consents to
American missionaries in China passing the frontier of the Empire
and taking refuge in Siberia, they being exempted from previous
conditions, but required to agree in writing with the local
authorities to abstain from all interference with religious matters
while there. I have telegraphed this very acceptable information to
my Government, and in acknowledgment of the kindness I venture to
express the hope that none of our citizens who may be forced to seek
the friendly shelter of the Empire will be guilty of abusing its
hospitality.
I avail myself, etc.,
