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. Rockhill to Mr. Denby, chargé.

Department of State,
Washington, July 24, 1896.

No. 1306.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Nos. 2533 and 2536, of the respective dates of May 23 and May 30 last, regarding the anti-missionary riots at Kiangyin and the destruction of property there belonging to the American Southern Presbyterian Mission.

A copy of the Department’s instruction sent on the 22d instant to our consul at Chinkiang, setting forth the action he is expected to take in this matter, was inclosed you in my No. 1304 of yesterday’s date.

The punishment of any officials implicated is deemed by the Department of more moment than pecuniary indemnity, in that it will tend to prevent a recurrence of such acts.

I am, etc.,

W. W. Rockhill,
Acting Secretary.