Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1896, and the Annual Report of the Secretary of State

Mr. Denby to Mr. Olney.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, May 2, 1896. (Received June 10.)

No. 2520.]

Sir: In my dispatch No. 2479, of February 14 last, I informed you that I had received from Consul Child a claim against the Government of China, in favor of the American Baptist Missionary Union, for damages suffered by the riots which occurred in Szechuan last spring. I therein asked to be instructed as to whether this claim should be presented in toto as demanded. I also intimated that I preferred to present a general claim rather than specific items—claiming damages in gross.

Having had an intimation from the Tsung-li Yamên that it was anxious to settle this claim, I sent to them to-day a statement of the gross amount demanded, to wit, $16,180, and asked payment thereof. The answer will be reported to you.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.