I have the honor to inclose a translation of the Yamên’s answer, from
which it will be seen that the matter has been referred to the governor
for his report thereon.
[Inclosure in No. 2713.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
Your Excellency: We have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s note in regard to the
investigation of the Kiang-yin riot last year, and the dismissal
from office of the magistrate, Liu [Page 101] Yan-Kwang; that eight months have elapsed, and
the consul addressed the governor of Kiangsu, asking that he be
dismissed at once, but the governor refused to accede to the
demand.
Your excellency requests the Yamên to issue orders to the governor of
Kiangsu that the magistrate, Liu, be immediately dismissed from
office, etc.
We have the honor to state that, in regard to this case, last year
perpetrators of the crime were punished, and indemnity for losses
sustained was paid and the matter settled—the money being paid to
the United States consul, who, at the time of receiving it, made not
the slightest objection.
We transmitted to your excellency on the 9th September, 1896, a
report on this case from the minister superintendent of southern
trades, stating that it had been closed. This is on record.
Now, having received your excellency’s note under acknowledgment, we
have the honor to state that we have looked through the records of
this case in the Yamên, but can not find any reference to the
question of the dismissal from office of Magistrate Liu.
We find it, therefore, difficult from our archives to guess or form
an opinion as to how the question arose, whether or not it was
talked of between the taotai and consul, or whether or not it was
presented clearly before the governor. The Yamên has written to the
governor of Kiangsu, presenting your excellency’s statements, and
requested an investigation to be made.
In the meantime, we send this note for your excellency’s
information.
Cards of ministers, with compliments.
