Mr. Denby to Mr. Olney.
Peking , November 27, 1896 . (Received Jan. 4, 1897.)
Sir: I have the honor to call your attention to a matter, which, I think, is deserving of some consideration.
Under the treaty of 1894 between China and the United States the Government of the United States agrees to furnish annually to the Government of China registers or reports showing the full name, etc., of citizens of the United States residing in China. I have been endeavoring for a considerable time without complete success to secure such a register in order that I may comply with the treaty obligation. I have reported to the Tsung-li Yamên a list of Americans in nearly all the consular districts, but I have not yet received reports from all the consuls. There is no law under which registration can be enforced. (See article 444, p. 158, Consular Regulations, 1888.)
I believe that the consuls have generally endeavored by persuasion to induce their fellow-citizens to register, but their efforts have been almost universally fruitless. Even now in some consular districts it is difficult to procure lists to be sent to the consuls, although attention has been called to the treaty of 1894. It is plain that it is desirable that Americans should register at their consulates in order that the consuls may know definitely their residences and may be enabled to furnish efficient protection. Apart from these general considerations the treaty provision cited seems to create a necessity for some legislation on the subject. Unless registration is made compulsory this provision can never be fully complied with.
The fifth article of the treaty cited authorizes China to make regulations as to the registry of laborers, but does not include any other class. As to all other residents, our own Government has sole jurisdiction over the question of registry.
The Government of Great Britain, and perhaps the other powers represented here, though I have not looked into the matter except as to the English law, requires registration.
I respectfully recommend that a statute be enacted providing for compulsory registration of American citizens in China.
I have, etc.,