Office of the Historian

Mr. Conger to the Secretary of State.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, China, October 7, 1898.
No. 61.]

Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegrams of October 1 and 7, 1898.

I beg to report and emphasize my suggestions therein contained as to the importance of having some marines within reach of my orders, if found necessary to call them here for protection of the legation.

[Page 229]

Though the present situation in this vicinity is not alarming, and the probability of personal danger in Peking is quite remote, still the general situation in China is very critical.

The presence alone of a small well-armed guard, in a compound, would probably insure the safety of any legation, and in any event it could protect it from a Chinese mob of almost any size.

The other legations are already so impressed with the gravity of the situation and consequent necessity of legation guards that the Russians have to-day placed in their compound twenty-five mounted Cossacks, the British thirty marines with a machine gun, the Germans twenty or thirty marines, and the French, Japanese, and Italians have ordered guards for theirs.

I do not regard the danger imminent, but the possibilities of the future are sufficiently threatening to warrant the presence, at least as near as Tientsin, of a guard that could be quickly brought to Peking, if necessary, before winter sets in, closes navigation, and cuts off all possibility of aid.

A guard of from twelve to twenty picked marines would, in my judgment, prove sufficient.

Our compound is small and already crowded, but accommodations can, in some way, be made for them if required.

I would, however, advise, if practicable, that one of the small vessels be ordered to proceed to and remain at Tientsin for the winter, so that the marines might stay on board until absolutely needed.

The Chinese Government at first protested against the bringing of any foreign troops to Peking, but upon the unanimous request of the diplomatic corps, through its dean, a special train, a Chinese military escort, and other courtesies and facilities for their transportation were furnished.

I will transmit the correspondence between the dean of the diplomatic corps and the foreign office as soon as I can obtain copies from him.

I venture to express the hope that the Department will, on the receipt of my telegram, agree to the propriety and necessity of my suggestion and will, long before the receipt of this dispatch, have arranged with the Navy Department for the dispatch of the requisite instructions to Admiral Dewey; but if not, there would still be time for a ship to reach Tientsin from Manila or Hongkong before the Bay of Pechili freezes, if telegraphic orders are at once given on receipt of this dispatch.

I have not yet communicated with Admiral Dewey, but shall immediately send him the substance of this dispatch.

I inclose herewith copy of note received from the foreign office, setting forth the precautions taken by the Chinese Government to preserve order here.

I have, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 61.]

The Tsung-li Yamên to Mr. Conger.

Peking, October 4, 1898.
No. 17.]

Your Excellency: The prince and ministers have the honor to inform your excellency that on the 4th instant the grand council memorialized the Throne that in the several localities of the live districts of Peking there are both good and bad men, and the other day some foreigners were on their way from the railway station [Page 230] and were set upon by a mob. The gendarmerie have been commanded and have already appointed over 100 soldiers to guard the road from the station to the Yung-ting gate and up to the T’ien bridge, and to keep a sharp lookout to arrest offenders and preserve the peace. All the police stations within and without the city are commanded to protect foreigners who may be passing, and they shall not be delayed.

On the same day the censors were likewise ordered by the imperial decree to guard the road from the station, etc. (same as above).

This yamen has therefore ordered the gendarmerie and censors to obey the imperial mandate and take the necessary measures.

In addition, as in duty bound, we forward the above copy of the decree for your excellency’s information.