Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, China, November 3,
1898.
No. 81.]Sir: As promised in my dispatch No. 56, of
October 1 last, I have now the honor to inclose copies of the complete
correspondence between the dean of the diplomatic corps and the Tsung li
Yamên, together with translations, on the question of bringing the
foreign legations’ guards to Peking.
It will be observed that at first the Yamên objected, but finally they
arranged for and permitted the use of a train, and in every case have
furnished escorts from the railway station, which is several miles
outside the city wall, to the gates of the legations.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 81.]
Sir Claude
MacDonald to the Dean of the
diplomatic corps.
British Legation, September 30, 1898.
My Dear Doyen: This afternoon, in coming
from the station, Mr. Mortimore, a member of this legation, and an
English lady whom he was escorting from the station were, without
any reason whatever, severely pelted with mud and stones. They
fortunately escaped without very serious injury, but had the mob
been able to procure more stones the results might have been very
serious, indeed fatal.
I am, of course, taking steps for redress in this matter vis-a-vis
the Chinese Government, but I venture to think that this is a matter
which does not affect this legation alone. This lady was not pelted
with stones and mud because she was English, but because she was an
European. I therefore am of opinion that it is a question which
should be taken up by the whole diplomatic body as a body, as well
as by myself. I would feel greatly obliged, therefore, if you kindly
call a meeting to-morrow to take the views of the other
representatives in this matter.
Believe me, etc.,
