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. Olney to Mr. Denby.

Department of State,
Washington, May 14, 1896.

No. 1272.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 2479, of the 14th of February last, inclosing claims against the Government of China tiled by Rev. George Warner, of the American Baptist Missionary Union, in the consulate-general at Shanghai, for losses sustained during the riots of May and June, 1895, in the province of Szechuan.

The claims include what you term consequential or remote damages, such as enforced traveling expenses, house rent and extra incidental expenses, and compensation for lost time.

I am of the opinion that expenses incidentally and necessarily incurred by our missionaries in removing to a place of safety, and while residing there through enforced inability to return to their residences, are proper items to be embodied in the claims. * * *

I am, etc.,

Richard Olney.