Mr. Denby to Mr.
Sherman.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, February 26,
1898.
No. 2878.]Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the
7th instant I received from the Yamên a communication relating to the
occupation of a place called Chiang Pei Ting, which is near Chung king,
by American missionaries. A translation is inclosed.
In this communication the Yamên sets forth that should the Americans go
to the place named there will be danger of a riot. The 8th instant I
sent to our consul a dispatch, of which a copy is inclosed.
I afterwards received a telegram from him which, with my answer thereto,
are set out in my dispatch to the consul of the 19th instant, of which a
copy is inclosed.
Thus the matter stands at present.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
2878.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
Peking, February 7,
1898.
Your Excellency: We have the honor to
inform your excellency that the Yamên received a telegram from the
customs Taotai, at Chungking stating that the people at Chiang Pei
Ting have never been friendly toward the Christians.
Since the riots in the beginning of Kwang-hsü the French missionaries
have not occupied the premises in that locality which the officials
rebuilt. Last winter an American missionary was assaulted at this
place. The authorities arrested the assailants and punished them.
The American consul, Mr. Smithers, insisted that the American
missionaries should be allowed to have a mission station there, but
two months have elapsed and nothing as yet has been arranged. It is
to be feared that the American consul does not consider the feelings
of the populace toward Christians, and the Taotai requests that the
matter be laid before the United States minister, informing him
that, should the missionaries locate at Chiang Pei Ting and trouble
arise, it may be difficult to afford them proper protection.
[Page 192]
The Yamên would observe that the treaties provide for the propagation
of the Christian religion in all the provinces, and the local
authorities must do their best to grant protection to the
missionaries. But the people of Chiang Pei Ting are very turbulent,
and since the riots which occurred in the beginning of the reign of
Kwang-hsü the French missionaries have not occupied the premises
rebuilt for them at that place, which is an indication that the
people are very much opposed to Christianity.
The Yamên has telegraphed the Taotai at Chung-king to confer with the
American consul and try to arrange matters amicably, so as to avoid
trouble.
The Yamên begs that your excellency will instruct the American consul
to consult with the Taotai respecting this case and, pending a
satisfactory arrangement, the missionaries be requested not to carry
on religious work at the place in question and thus avoid
trouble.
Cards of ministers with compliments.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
2878.]
Mr. Denby to Mr.
Smithers.
Peking, February 8,
1898.
No. 23.]Sir: I have received from the Yamên a
dispatch, of which a copy is inclosed.
Having received no report on the subject thereof from you, I can not
well give you binding instructions. There is no objection, of
course, to your consulting with the Taotai and seeking to
satisfactorily arrange the pending matter. I rely on your prudence
and discretion.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
2878.]
Mr. Denby to Mr.
Smithers.
Peking, February 19,
1898.
No. 24.]Sir: I acknowledge the receipt of your
telegram, as follows:
United States
Minister, Pekin:
Methodist mission desire rent property Chiang Pei Ting.
Inhabitants offering objections. Taotai not interfering.
Smithers.
I answered as follows:
Smithers, Chung-king:
Advise missionaries to hold off until further advices. Report
matter fully. Await my dispatches of 8th instant and of
to-day.
Denby.
I understand that since the Catholic property was destroyed in 1886
no missionary has gone to Chiang Pei Ting, and that it is considered
a dangerous place. I think it better that our missionaries should
not take up their residence in Chiang Pei Ting until you have
reported the matter fully to me and I have arranged it with the
Yamên. Telegrams convey little information.
I am, etc.,
