Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1898

Mr. Denby to Mr. Sherman.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, February 4, 1898.

No. 2861.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a translation of an imperial decree relating to the recent riots in Shantung.

It will be seen that the various officials concerned have been degraded. Churches are to be erected at three places and dwelling houses at seven. The most important part of the decree, however, is the clause announcing that the local authorities will be held solely responsible for riots.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.

[Inclosure in No. 2861.]

A decree from the Emperor of China, promulgated in the Peking Gazette, February 1, 1898.

In obedience to our commands, the officers of the board of civil office have submitted a memorial embodying the conclusions they have arrived at respecting the penalties that should be imposed on certain officials.

In the matter of the Chu Yeh case, the governor of Shantung, Li Ping Heng, failed to take protective measures, and it was only after he received a telegram from the Tsung li Yâmen to hold an investigation, that he reported the matter to the Throne. He is certainly deserviug of blame and should be censured. Let him be degraded two steps and transferred to another post. This punishment can not be commuted.

Hsi Liang, Taotai of the Yan I Tsao Chi circuit, is hereby removed from his post. The brigade general of Tsaochou, Wan Pen-hau, and the prefect of Tsao Chao, Shao Cheng-chao, are deprived of their official rank, but allowed to remain in office.

The propagation of religion by Westerners is provided by the treaties. The missionaries come to China from afar—several thousands of miles—and our officials and people should with especial care befriend them. In spite of all, the case of the murderer of two missionaries, in the Chu Yeh district in Shantung, occurred—an affair greatly to be lamented. The persons concerned in the murder have already, according to law, been rigorously dealt with. We have authorized churches to be erected at three places and dwelling houses at seven places, in order to make known the fact that we entertain a feeling of compassion for persons coming from afar.

In future, Chang Ju-mei, the governor of Shantung, must instruct his subordinate officers that they are, in good earnest, to give proper protection to the missionaries. In the event of worthless and reckless fellows again making trouble and committing acts of violence, the local authorities of the place will be held solely responsible. Beware!