Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1897

Mr. Denby to Mr. Sherman.

Legation of the United States,
Pekin, March 11, 1897. (Received April 26.)

No. 2705.]

Sir: By the instructions of the Department, Consul Jones was directed to refer the question of dismissing the Kiang Yin magistrate, Lin Yan-Kwang, from office to me if he failed in securing his dismissal by the local authorities. Consul has now transmitted the case to this legation.

It will be remembered that after the riot at Kiang Yin, which occurred during my absence in Japan, the magistrate, Lin, was ordered to be dismissed from office. At the urgent request of the taotai, Consul Jones consented that Lin should be put back in his place temporarily, to give him a chance to pay the indemnity which had been advanced for him by the taotai. As sufficient time has elapsed for that purpose to be accomplished, I instructed the consul to demand that the original sentence be put in force. He made this demand of the governor of Kiang-su, who resides at Soochow, and compliance was refused.

I have, therefore, in accordance with Department’s instructions, taken up the case, and I inclose a copy of a paper to the Yamên on the subject.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.

[Inclosure in No. 2705.]

Mr. Denby to the Tsung-li Yamên.

Pekin, March 10, 1897.

Your Highnesses and Your Excellencies: I have the honor to inform you that Immediately after the investigation of the Kiang Yin riot, which occurred last summer, the Kiang Yin magistrate, Liu Yan-Kwang, was dismissed from office. At the urgent request of the taotai the consul of the United States consented that he should be put back temporarily in his place to give him a chance to pay the indemnity which had been advanced for him by the taotai.

Eight months have elapsed. Ample time has intervened to enable him to pay the indemnity. By the instructions of his Government the consul of the United States recently demanded of the governor of Kiang-su that the original sentence be carried out; that is to say, that the magistrate be dismissed from office. The governor refused to accede to this demand.

I now bring the matter to your attention, and I request you to issue orders to the governor of Kiang-su that the magistrate Liu be immediately dismissed from office.

If you desire to prevent riots in China, you must see to it that delinquent officials are punished. Especially, it will not do to retain an official in office after he has been ordered to be dismissed. Such treatment offers a premium for connivance at lawlessness.