Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1899
Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
Pekin, China, February 8, 1899.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herein copies of three letters from Revs. Chalfant, Faris, and Killie, American missionaries in Shantung, relating to a series of riotous incidents culminating in attacks upon their mission property and general interference with the work of both foreign and native Christians in that province.
From information furnished me from the German and French legations, both of which are in constant communication with the large number of their own missionaries in the neighborhoods mentioned, and from the tsungli yamen, which has frequent telegraphic reports, I have concluded either that much of the information contained in these letters was derived from exaggerated reports made by natives to our missionaries, or that the missionaries themselves were unnecessarily frightened, and as they had reported no special cases of damage or persecution not settled, I made only general requests upon the Chinese Government to preserve order, protect lives and property, and save further trouble.
But in the last letter of the missionaries they furnish the names of places, dates of attacks, and designate particularly the persons who were the principal ringleaders in each riot. I have therefore thought best to demand the arrest and punishment of these ringleaders, and did so in a note to the tsungli yamen on the 3d instant, a copy of which is inclosed.
I also inclose copies of previous correspondence with the tsungli yamen on the same subject.
I have, etc.,
Messrs. Killie, Faris, and Chalfant to Consul Fowler, Chefoo.
Dear Sir: We, the three undersigned citizens of the United States, resident at the city of I-Chou-fu, in the province of Shantung, beg hereby to report to you the circumstances of a recent experience of ours in the extreme northeast corner of the county of Chu-chou and 280 li (3 to the mile) northeast of I-chou-fu.
There are at that point two preaching stations in connection with this mission, one called Lin Ts’un, in Chou-chou, and the other called Man T’ang Yu, 5 li east of Lin T’sun, in the county of Ji Chao. The line between the two countries runs north and south along the ridge separating the two villages. We have a small schoolhouse at each place, and work has been prosecuted there for about twelve years.
On the 8th of November we, the undersigned, left I-chou-fu to visit these stations, traveling thus in company for a special purpose connected with the discharge of our ordinary duties. On the way we met, successively, two committees of Christians from Man Tang Yu, the first of which reported that on the 24th of the Chinese ninth moon, i. e., November 7, our schoolhouse at that place had been robbed, the furniture being smashed and everything portable carried off, by a band of armed men from a village called Ho Chia Lon, locally known as Hsi Lou, 10 li southeast of Man Tang Yu, and consequently in the country of Ji Chao. The second party of messengers reported that on the following day, November 8, a larger force of armed men had come over from the same place, robbed several Christian families at Man [Page 155] Tang Yu of all they had, and carried off our school-teacher as a hostage, shamefully abusing him. There has been for some time a feud between the two villages, which culminated last spring in the intimidation of the Christians by parties of violent men from Ho Chia Lou, the beating by them of our school-teacher at Lin Tsun, and several other minor outrages. Matters went to such a length that we were compelled to appeal last spring to the Ji Chao official, and succeeded in getting the case settled by the usual Chinese expedient of exacting a public feast from the offenders.
As to the merits of that case, it is perhaps sufficient to say that the Christians were probably not without fault. The Ho Chia Lou people were unquestionably the aggressors and used actual violence. Although this old grudge serves to explain the virulence of the present attack, the real occasion of the attack itself is to be found in the wild rumors which are in circulation in that whole region to the effect that the foreigners have been driven out of Pekin and that an edict has been issued authorizing the people to expel the foreigners and their adherents everywhere. In north Chu Chou and Ji Chao the German Catholics have many stations, and there has been for several years general complaint that many of the Catholic Christians use their connection with the foreigners to oppress their neighbors. Whether the accusations be true or false, they are at least generally believed; and when the report above described gained currency, people who had real or imaginary grievances against the Christians of both churches seized the opportunity to pay off old scores, and were eagerly seconded by the mass of the ignorant and excitable populace. Trouble similar to that of Man Tang Yu broke out simultaneously at a large number of Catholic stations.
Unconscious of the extent of the antiforeign movement, and supposing that we had to deal only with a rather serious case of local persecution, we sent back word to I-chou-fu that a request should be sent to the Ji Chao official by way of the prefect’s yamen to investigate the case.
We then pressed on to Lin Ts’un. When we were only 6 or 8 miles from our destination, we learned that our schoolhouse at Man Tang Yu, which had, as stated, been robbed on November 7, had been burned on the night of November 10, presumably by the same persons who had robbed it. We were told, moreover, that a German priest had been attacked and wounded, and was held a prisoner at a place called Chiai Tou, 70 li southeast of Lin T’sun and only 35 li from Ji Chao city.
There being no stopping place in the sparsely settled hill country in which we were, we decided to proceed to Lin Ts’un, where we arrived at dark on Saturday, November 12.
We had hardly reached there when we were told that the people of Ho Chia Lou had announced their intention of coming over that night to rob the Christians of Lin Ts’un as they had done those of Man Tang Yu. We called in the village elder and requested him to prepare for the attack as best he could. A watch was set on the street, but no attack was made. Early next morning we sent back word to Chu Chou city, 90 li distant, and to I-chou-fu, for assistance, knowing that retreat without some settlement of the trouble would result in the robbery of the Christians, if not in worse.
As the day wore on it became evident that the situation was serious. A band of armed men numbering about 200 advanced from Ho Chia Lou to the ridge overlooking Lin Ts’un. Their representatives were indeed willing to talk of a compromise, but they plainly hinted that our failure to accept their terms would be followed by an armed attack upon us. We gathered from what they said that the Christians had been, in several matters, more or less in the wrong, but, as we pointed out to them, mob violence was not the proper way to seek redress even if their alleged grievances were real. We tried to impress upon them the absurdity of the reports, upon the ground of which they had so rashly resorted to violence. Fortunately one of our number, Mr. Killie, had his passports with him, stamped by the tsungli yamen, on September 25, which was unimpeachable evidence that six weeks previously the treaty rights of foreigners were recognized at Pekin.
This document had considerable influence in checking their warlike ardor. We said that we demanded only that they should restore the stolen property and rebuild the schoolhouse. At 5 p.m. on the same day (November 13) came the ti fang, or local policeman of the district, who reassured us and went out to persuade the rioters to return to their village. The next day was passed in alternate alarms and fruitless negotiations. At dark a lao tsung or constable arrived from Chu Chou with a horse and two men. He said that his master, the Chu Chou official, desired us to leave Lin Ts’un at once, but we pointed out that under the circumstances it was an impossibility. Even if we were not ourselves waylaid on the road, the Christians would certainly suffer should we depart without a settlement of the case.
On the morning of the 15th, a little after 11 o’clock, we heard the report of a gun on the hill east of us, and were told that the rioters were returning in force to bring [Page 156] us to their terms. Some of the Christians brought in clubs and other primitive weapons, but we refused them and instructed our friends not to fight at all. We then sent for the Chu Chou lao tsang and the middlemen in the negotiation, and demanded why we were threatened with violence when in the midst of amicable negotiations. We informed them that we were not to be intimidated into an unjust or disgraceful settlement. At 3 p.m. a prominent Christian, the father of the young school-teacher who was in the hands of the rioters, ventured out to obtain news of his son, and was seized, bound, and a knife was pressed against his throat. He was released upon condition that he should urge us to pay over the value of $200 Mexican, to secure our safety. Toward evening we learned that we were threatened from a new quarter. Gangs of ruffians, heavily armed, were coming down from south Chu Ch’ eng to join the main body of the rioters at Chiai T’en, where the German priest had been attacked and where it was said that the standard of rebellion was already raised. A scout brought in word that 60 or 70 of these desperate men were in a ravine north of our village with the avowed purpose of attacking us. Just as we were sitting down to supper, an alarm was raised that the robbers were upon us. We were hurried by our friends to a room which could be more easily defended. The whole village was now aroused, and arms of all sorts were produced. We told them that while we were opposed to meeting their riotous neighbors with armed resistance, we considered it perfectly right to defend ourselves against regular robbers and that we proposed to do so, although we only had one small revolver among us. At 10 o’clock we were much relieved by the arrival of a lieutenant with 20 soldiers, including 5 cavalry, from Chu Chou. Reports of guns were heard in the night, but no attack was made by the robbers. On the morning of the 16th we learned that a deputy from the Ji Chao official had arrived at a point 20 li east of us and had appointed several of the most influential and wealthy men in that neighborhood to try to bring the rioters to terms with us. At 10.40 a.m. the Chu Chou official himself, Tsiang Chieh, put in his apperance, and at once called upon us. He desired us to leave immediately, and we expressed our readiness to do so as soon as the negotiations came to a satisfactory conclusion. Owing partly to our access of force and partly to the fact that our original enemies were themselves beginning to fear robbery at the hands of their villianous allies from the north, the Ho Chia Lou people, at least through the committee last named, signified their readiness to accept our terms. That evening they signed a paper promising to restore the goods they had stolen from the Christians and from the schoolhouse, and to rebuild the schoolhouse itself. It was further stipulated that they and the Christians should henceforth not molest each other. By this time the village was full of idlers and ruffians from 10 miles around, and the official told us privately that he considered the case to be very serious. However, after another anxious night we left the place under military escort, followed by the official himself, who soon passed our barrows and hurried back to Chu Chou. As we passed along with our escort, the road was lined at every village with men, women, and children, who watched us pass in sullen silence, very different from the ordinary curiosity with which we are familiar. On Friday, the 18th, at noon we reached the city of Chu Chou, where Mr. Tuang immediately called upon us at our inn. We returned the call. The people on the street were nearly as quiet as usual, and indeed south of Chu Chou city we noticed little excitement. In response to the suggestion, Mr. Tsiang said that he had already issued stringent proclamations to be posted in the disaffected districts. We were furnished by him with four soldiers and left at once for I-chou-fu, 18 li south of the city, where we spent the night. We were met by the prefect of I-chou-fu, Ting Ch’eng. He was absent from the city on his way to Yen Chou-fu when word of the trouble in Ji Chao overtook him. He returned, and 10 li east of the city, en route for Ji Chao to investigate the case of the seizure of the German priest, he was overtaken by an urgent message from the ladies of our mission, and hastening back to the city made a fresh start for Chu Chou to succor us. He traveled the 180 li between I-chou-fu and Chu Chou city in one day. After hearing our story he went on to Chu-chou and thence to Ji Chao. He insisted upon adding three soldiers to our escort. We reached Ji Chao without further incident on November 20.
In reference to the incident related above we have the following remarks to make:
1. It is clearly not an isolated case, but one of several simultaneous occurrences, showing a widespread and violent antiforeign feeling.
2. The present outbreak is directly connected with the “coup d’etat” at Pekin. The people are led to suppose that the reaction against the reform movement, of which they have vaguely heard, involves the expulsion of the foreigners.
3. Vigorous measures must at once be taken in the way of stringent instructions to local officials, and plain-spoken proclamations, backed up by the necessary force, if this antiforeign feeling is to be subdued before worse things happen.
4. We have no complaint to make of the civil authorities with whom we have had [Page 157] to deal. The Prefect Ting Ch’eng and the hsien or county official of I-chou-fu, Chen Kung Liang, certainly did all in their power to answer the appeal of the ladies for help.
The action of the Chu Chou official, as related above, was prompt and effective. The prefect for six days traveled literally day and night.
None of these named were responsible for the trouble, and they made every exertion to rescue us and the German priest. It would be a great injustice if they were made to suffer in the premises.
5. We can not say as much for the military authorities of I-chou-fu. The hsieh tai, or resident colonel in command of the regular troops of the prefecture, is a Mahomedan named Li Ying. When the ladies appealed to him he refused to do anything, on the absurd ground that the country of Ji Chao is the territory of his subordinate, the tu ssu, commandant of Ngan Tung Wei, on the seacoast. Colonel Li has, it is true, very few soldiers under his command, but that lack is in itself a just cause of complaint, and besides he did not use any of the few men he has, as he might well have done. Still more culpable is the case of Brig. Gen. Tai Shou Li, who was sent down from Chinan-fu in the spring under pressure from you, as he has himself admitted, for the express purpose of protecting the foreigner. He is supposed to command a liang (500) of troops, but at present has here in the city only about 80 or 100 men. When the ladies appealed to him on this occasion for soldiers to go to our rescue he said that he could not comply without an order from the governor. In response to this we have simply to say that if it be true that every time an emergency arises he must wait for orders from Chinan-fu, 640 li away, he is not of much use here, and the sooner he gets the necessary authority the better for the foreigner.
6. If the Ho Chia Lou people carry out their promise to make full restitution for the damage done by them, we are not disposed to prosecute them for their flagrant lawlessness. The prefect informs us that he has given orders that the ringleaders be arrested. That would probably be a wise step, if only to bring home to them the gravity of their crime. We should feel disposed, however, in view of our compact made with them, to intercede with the authorities for them at the proper time.
7. We agreed to a settlement upon the basis of their simply making good the damage, because: (1) Although we were ourselves placed by them in undoubted peril of our property, if not of our lives, we were not actually attacked; (2) we recognize the fact that the people of Ho Chia Lou, while inexcusably in the wrong themselves, had a certain amount of real grievance against some of our Christians, which, while not enough to justify their resort to lawless violence, must still be taken into the account in judging their conduct.
- Charles A. Killie.
- Wallace S. Faris.
- William P. Chalfant.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli yamen.
Pekin, China, December 20, 1898.
In reference to the antiforeign sentiment in the province of Shantung and the general annoyance it is causing the missionaries and native Christians therein residing, and in order that your highness and your excellencies may be more fully advised as to the real situation, the undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the honor to transmit herewith, without comment or suggestion, a copy of a statement made by Charles A. Killie, William S. Faris, and William P. Chalfant, three American missionaries, detailing a very serious experience which they recently had in the north of that province.
The undersigned avails, etc.,
The Tsungli Yamen to Mr.Conger.
Your Excellency: We have the honor to inform your excellency that on the 16th instant this yamen received the following communication from the viceroy at Shantung:
“The dispatch (from the yamen) is fully understood. The unfriendly feelings between Christians and natives has existed for some time. Although my subordinates [Page 158] have been instructed to exhort them, it is difficult to make all understand. Having received instructions to issue proclamations, I have acted accordingly. But in order that the Christians and people may mutually be at peace, the local authorities must instruct them, and the missionaries should restrain the native Christians. In this way there will be mutual harmony, etc.”
As in duty bound, we send this note for your excellency’s information and inclose a copy of the proclamation issued by the viceroy of Shantung.
Cards of ministers with compliments.
Translation of a proclamation issued by the viceroy of Shantung.
A proclamation issued in accordance with an imperial decree by the Empress Dowager, dated 21st day, 8th moon, 24th year of Kuang Hsü (October 6, 1898), as follows: “Ever since foreign nations have had commercial relations with China there has been no difference in their treatment. The local officials have been repeatedly instructed to protect all missionaries in China. Both officials and gentry in all the provinces should respect the desire of the court to treat all alike. They should exhibit sincerity and honesty and be without doubt and suspicion, in order that there may be continual and mutual peace, etc.”
Again, on the 3d day of the 10th moon, the following decree was issued by the Empress Dowager: “The customs and government orders of Western nations are different from those of China. Although these differences exist, yet the adoption of Western methods in military affairs, agriculture, and commerce have proved really beneficial. Therefore, if what is good is selected and carried out in order, the benefits will increase daily, etc.”
Western people have come from afar and across many oceans to China for the special purpose of exhorting people to do right. Therefore they should be protected, according to treaty, in order that friendly relations may be preserved. Moreover, it is to be feared that ignorant and foolish persons will make false conjectures which will prove misleading. They surely do not bear in mind that the Empress Dowager is at all times earnestly striving to prosper her country, and so she is kind to the people from distant lands, and her treatment of foreigners and Chinese is the same.
The people and missionaries of this province have lived together amicably for a long time. The saying “do not forget to entertain strangers” should be considered, and more than this, strangers should be treated with great courtesy. Moreover, Christians and natives who live in the same village and drink from the same well are friends. Who, with heaven over their head and earth beneath their feet are not the sons of the court? How much more even should they be mutual friends and not cherish any enmity or suspicion!
In addition to instructing the local authorities to exhort the people, proclamations have been issued for their enlightenment.
This proclamation has been issued for the purpose that all the soldiers and people of this province may understand that hereafter they must obey the decrees which have frequently been promulgated in order that the missionaries and native Christians may all be treated as friends. Moreover, if any dare disobey and spread rumors and cause trouble by inciting the populace, they must be immediately apprehended and severely punished, and will not be shown any leniency. Beware!
The Tsungli Yamen to Mr.Conger.
Your Excellency: We beg to reply to your excellency with reference to the missionary trouble in Shantung, which you brought to the notice of this yamen in a personal interview this morning. Acknowledging the very friendly feelings of your excellency, we have already wired the governor of Shantung, instructing him to immediately send soldiers to repress and to render satisfactory protection.
As in duty bound, we send this note for your information.
Cards of ministers with compliments.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli yamen.
Pekin, China, December 27, 1898.
In reference to the outbreak in Shantung, the undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, hastens to place in the hands of your highness and your excellencies a telegram this moment received from the United States consul at Chefoo, as follows:
“Governor wires that he has ordered officials send troops, but they will not be able to regain control; urge yamen to wire governor to send largest force possible immediately.”
The above indicates that the outbreak is extensive and the danger imminent. The undersigned therefore requests that your highness and your excellencies will, if not already done, ascertain by quick telegraph the real situation, and take such further certain and effective measures as will surely repress the disturbances and insure the protection of life and property.
He will also thank your highness and your excellencies for any information you may have concerning the actual situation, and that you will further notify him as soon as the outbreak is suppressed and danger passed.
The undersigned avails, etc.,
William P. Chalfant and others to Consul Fowler, Chefoo.
Sir: On the 22d instant we sent you a telegram, via Tai Erh Chuang, in the following words:
“Northeast outbreak approaching I-Chou-fu; much destruction Catholic property; Two Catholics killed.
“Tsoa Chwans threatened. Ask Corbett prefect to Chinan-fu. Force expected inadequate regain control.”
In explanation of this telegram we have to say that the state of affairs in the northeast has not improved since our letter of December 9 to you.
On the contrary, it has steadily grown worse. The riots against the Christians broke out farther and farther southward, up to the very gates of Chu Chou city. The Chu Chou official, Tsiang, the man who went to Lin Ts’un to rescue us, as related in our letter to you of November 29, went out to a point 20 lis east of that city to prevent the looting of a Catholic station. He was openly defied by the mob, who accused him of receiving money from the foreigners for espousing their cause, and compelled him to get out of his chair and abjectly swear that it was not so. So far, we know he has not dared to leave the city since. Up to this time no more of our stations have been actually attacked. One Christian family, 15 lis south of Chu Chou city, was threatened by a small mob, but the neighbors took their part, saying that they were innocent of offense, and the danger was, for the time, at least, averted. On December 21, however, word came that an attack, instigated by men from Li-Chao and Chu Chou, was threatened at two large stations of ours where we have organized churches and schools, viz, Pei Tsou Ch’nan and Nan Tsoa Ch’nan in the southern part of the country of I Swei, 70 lis southwest of Chu Chou and only a little over 100 lis from this city. One of our Christians there is a wealthy man, and the hope of spoils was added to the widespread antiforeign feeling, as it is, indeed, in most of these cases. We made proper representations to our local magistrate, prefect having gone to Chinan to consult with the governor, and the magistrate (Chen Kung Liang) with commendable energy and in spite of the fact that the points threatened were not within his jurisdiction, sent up a force of 18 foot soldiers, 10 of whom he borrowed from the Chen Tai, Tai Shon Li. The alarming feature of the general situation is that the excitement is gradually moving south westward. Besides this, antiforeign placards have been posted 100 lis southeast of here, a copy of one of which we secured and handed to the local magistrate. In view of these facts we concluded to send to you our telegram of the 23d instant, above quoted. Since dispatching that message events have justified the precaution. The arrival of the 18 soldiers sent from here to the Tsoa Chwans, as above related, frustrated. On the morning of the 24th instant the small force referred to proceeded to the market town of Shing Mu Chung, 12 lis northeast of Pei Tsoa Chuan. It was market day. The report was circulated that the [Page 160] soldiers were not genuine, but were hired mercenaries from the Tsoa Ch’uans. It was moreover asserted that their guns were not loaded, and it was suggested that their guns be taken from them. Their leader, a man named Wang from our magistrate’s yamen, went out to parley with the malcontents and was seized. The soldiers made an attempt to rescue him and one of them fired his gun, wounding one of the mob. A riot followed, in which Sergeant Wang was beaten and one of the soldiers was badly wounded, and these two, with four other soldiers, carried off to a temple. The rest of the soldiers escaped to the Tsoa Ch’uans. The mob then proposed to attack the Tsoa Ch’uans, but a messenger who arrived says that when he left the threat had not been carried into execution. This result was partially due to the fear of the soldiers, partly to the publication of a good proclamation by the local magistrate of I Swei, and partly, we are glad to record, to the way in which the neighbors of our Christians rallied to their defense on the ground that they had never done anything to deserve such treatment. On the 25th instant we called upon the local officials, the prefect having returned from Chinan-fu. The prefect besought us not to be impatient, since he was doing all in his power. He refused to tell us how many troops the governor had promised him, but said that 100 cavalry were to be here shortly. We urged him to telegraph the governor for more assistance, but he replied that he was not authorized to address the governor by telegraph. We suggested that he consult with the military officials and arrange to concentrate their small forces and move directly to the center of the trouble, so as to arrest the ringleaders and bring them to this city. He would promise nothing except that he would make good “all losses” and mete out satisfactory punishment when excitement subsides. We pointed out that the excitement would hardly subside without vigorous measures to check it. He asserts that eight men have been arrested at Chu Chou and one beheaded. The local magistrate corroborated this statement, and it is probably true, for on the 19th instant a force of from 40 to 50 cavalry from Chinan-fu was seen by one of our people at a point 80 lis north of this city, moving in the direction of Chu Chou. It should be added that the attacks upon the Christians are of a most vindictive character. Two Catholics have been killed and a large number injured. It is a common thing for the rioters literally to tear down the houses of their victims. One of our Christians at Man Tang Yu, an inoffensive old woman, was partially divested of her clothing and was hung up to a beam to make her surrender the deeds of the family homestead, they having been already robbed of everything else they possess. In a walled village 20 lis north of Chu Chou city a number of Catholics, together with 30 soldiers sent from here to protect them, were being besieged at last accounts by a body of rioters a thousand strong. The affair has not yet assumed the proportions of an organized rebellion, but it is rapidly drifting in that direction. Christians who live within 40 lis of the city say that it is the common talk among the bad element that they will proceed to rob them if the attempt at the Tsoa Ch’nans is unsuccessful. It is our opinion that the disturbance can not be quelled without a considerable increase of military force. This is especially urgent in view of the approach of the new-year festivities, when rowdiysm is apt to be rampant even under favorable conditions. We would further suggest that steps be taken to locate a permanent camp at this place for the following reasons:
- 1.
- The present outbreak shows conclusively that the military force in this prefecture is not adequate properly to police the territory.
- 2.
- The country south of us is in a constant state of disturbance, owing to the local banditti who go and come over the border lines between Shantung and Kiang su.
- 3.
- There is now a state of famine in northern Kiang su and lawless outbreaks are occurring there and in the extreme southern part of this province.
- 4.
- It is quite likely that some of the German syndicates who are visiting our city from time to time may attempt to buy lands and open mines here in the spring, a proceeding which, however commendable in itself, is almost sure to give rise to local disturbances. Trusting that you may be able to bring such pressure to bear as shall secure us the peaceful protection of our work,
We are, yours, respectfully,
- William P. Chalfant.
- Charles A. Killie.
- Wallace S. Faris.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli yamen.
Pekin, China, December 26, 1898.
Referring to the outbreak near Ichou-fu, in the province of Shantung, and the threatened danger to American life and property thereby, which was the occasion of [Page 161] his personal visit to the tsungli yamen yesterday morning, the undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has the honor to acknowledge receipt of the note of your highness and your excellencies of the 25th instant informing him that the telegraphic instructions had at once been sent to the governor of Shantung to immediately send soldiers to repress the outbreak and render satisfactory protection.
Thanking your highness and your excellencies for your prompt attention to the matter, and trusting that the measures taken may prove efficacious, the undersigned improves the occasion, etc.,
The Tsungli Yamen to Mr.Conger.
Your Excellency: We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note in reference to the outbreak in Shantung.
You therein say that you have just received a telegram from the United States consul at Chefoo, which is as follows:
“Governor wires that he has ordered officials send troops, but they will not be able to regain control. Urge yamen to wire governor to send largest force possible immediately.”
Your excellency therefore requests that we will ascertain by quick telegraph the real situation, etc.
The yamen has wired the governor of Shantung, with orders that he must in good earnest afford protection, and in addition we send this communication for your excellency’s information.
Cards of ministers with compliments.
Mr. Chalfant and others to Consul Fowler, Chefoo.
Sir: On December 26 last we dispatched a letter to you describing the progress of the antiforeign outbreak in this prefecture. Before proceeding to outline the present situation we desire to thank you most heartily for the prompt and effective manner in which you responded to our appeal for assistance. Your telegraphic reply to our telegram of December 22 reached us on the evening of the 29th. At 1 o’clock on the following morning came the governor’s orders to protect the foreigners and to punish the rioters. It appeared that in the course of the transmission of our message the inference had somewhere been drawn from its wording that the two German priests had been murdered. The term “two Catholics” referred to native Christians. The man who was shot by the soldiers at Sheng Mu Chung, as related in our letter of December 26, subsequently died. The six soldiers who were detained by the mob were accused of murder and were sent in chains to the I Swei magistrate for trial. The accusation also mentioned one of our prominent Christians as a naccomplice, although he was not present and had nothing to do with the affair. On the basis of this malicious and palpably false charge the I Swei magistrate actually issued a warrant for the arrest of our Christian, thus confirming the people in their belief that the officials favor the antiforeign movement.
As soon as we learned of this we sent to the prefect demanding that the name of the Christian be removed from the accusation and pointing out that the soldiers were simply doing their duty and should not have been arrested at all. Our request was complied with, but at last account the soldiers were still in custody. On December 25 and 26 our station at Hsi Ch’yu, 55 li northwest of I Swei city, was looted. The Christians were stripped of everything they possessed, and their very door posts were carried off. On the 29th or 30th the I Swei magistrate went in person to the spot and arrested ten or more persons. Only one of these was a ringleader, and he was released in a few days at the request of the influential friends and was, at last accounts, at large in I Swei city, boasting of his murderous designs against the Christians, and this in spite of the fact that the city was full of Chinan-fu cavalry. Under these circumstances it is not strange that a few days later, on January 3, an exceptionally inoffensive but isolated family living at Shwang Miao, 40 li northwest of His [Page 162] Ch’ang Yu, was robbed of its all by a band of men who were not recognized. On December 29 the trouble broke out in this country, Lan Shan Hsien at Hsiao Tai Ping, only 40 li northeast of this city. A Christian was robbed of 300 catties of peanuts and some clothing. It was done unquestionably to ascertain the temper of our local official, Chen Kung Liang. We informed him of the occurrence, and he promptly sent out forty men and arrested four of the ringleaders. Three of them were severely beaten, one so badly that he died from the effects of his punishment. This, to us, shocking procedure had the effect of bringing in the head men of the village in the locality affected, who repaid the loss of the Christian, and entered into a written agreement to prevent the repetition of such outrages. At the same time representatives of the region southeast of here, where the anti-foreign placards, referred to in our last letter, were posted, came up to say that such a thing should not be again permitted. The whole incident goes to show that this movement can be repressed if taken in time and sternly dealt with. On January 3, when we called upon the prefect to demand that our Christian’s name be taken off the murder indictment above referred to, we also called the prefect’s attention to the fact that not one of the men in Ji Chao had been arrested though they have been engaged for the past two months in robbing the Christians at Man Fang Yu, have looted and burned our schoolhouse there, and as before related, for several days threatened three of us foreigners with armed violence. We represented, moreover, that no one had been arrested at Liu Tsun in Chu Chou, where our Christians have been robbed by their neighbors. The prefect issued what purported to be stringent orders to the Ji Chao and Chu Chou magistrate to arrest the ringleaders at the places above specified. We took the precaution to send private messengers to ascertain whether these orders had been carried into effect. This evening the messengers returned. At Sin Tsun not only had no one been arrested, but most of the remaining property of the Christians has been stolen. Ji Chao city is full of cavalry, but no move has been made to arrest the culprits at Ho Chia Lon. The only remaining Christian family at Man Tang Yu has been robbed. The German Catholic station of Tu Shan near Ji Chao city, where a foreign priest usually resides has been looted and dismantled. The mob began operations within ten minutes after the Ji Chao magistrate left the place. The sergeant who came from Ngan Tung Wei with soldiers to suppress the riot was brought before the leaders of the affair and explained that he simply came to see that no outsiders were interfered with. As for the Christians, it was lawful to rob them.
All the Catholic Christians over there have fled to Tsin tan or are in hiding. The firing of guns is heard on every hand, and an active muster of the malcontents is in progress. They propose to “fight the foreigners, who are formidable, it is true, on the sea, but do not dare to land from their ships.” Seventy li east of this city there is talk of raising the flag of rebellion. The origin of the whole trouble was in Ji Chao and south Chu Ch’eng. The gentry of Chao city are said to be the leaders in the movement there. In view of these circumstances we thought it advisable to send you this evening the following telegram:
“Cavalary at Chu Chou Ji Chao fortnight, no arrests. Ji Chao verge antiforeign rebellion. Gentry leading. Two north I Swei stations mobbed. Few arrests. Ringleader released. Prefect half-hearted orders disregarded. Magistrate protects. Messenger awaits answer.”
The conviction is being forced upon us that some of the local officials are not in earnest in their attempts to quell this uprising. There are even indications that it may have been preconcerted to a certain extent. For example, we have learned on good authority that I Swei Magistrate Tung remarked some time before the beginning of the trouble that “the members of the foreign church would suffer this winter.” Our prefect, Ting Cheng, is either personally unwilling to punish the rioters or is hampered by his orders from Chinan-fu. A Tung Ling, Li Fu Yun has reached I Swei from T’ai Ugan fu with 150 cavalry. In response to a friendly message from him we sent him the names of the leaders in the various riots in the hope that he may be able to take some independent action. In view of the facts that as matters stand it is impossible to get justice done by ordinary methods in the countries of Ji Chao, Chu Chou, and I Swei, we beg to submit to you herewith a list of the names of the principal ringleaders who have conducted riots against our stations in the counties specified, and we hereby request you to take such steps as you may think proper to secure their arrest and punishment. Not until these men are punished will it be possible for us to continue our work at those places. The matter of compensation to the Christians for losses can then be attended to. It should be added that according to reports the antiforeign agitators have entered the county of Ming Yin with the avowed purpose of stirring up trouble there, and so on to Tai Ngan fu and Chining Chou.
We are, etc.,
- Charles A. Killie.
- William P. Chalfant.
- Wallace S. Faris.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli yamen.
Pekin, China, January 12, 1899.
The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, has just received from the United States consul at Chefoo the following alarming telegram:
“Ichow telegraphs cavalry useless. Antiforeign rebellion imminent. Gentry leading. Two north I Swei stations mobbed. Ringleaders released. Prefect’s orders disregarded. Believe situation dangerous.”
It would seem from the above that notwithstanding the instructions already sent to the governor of Shantung, that the outbreak is spreading, more outrages are being committed, and graver dangers threatened.
With the ample facilities for official telegraph communication which the Imperial Government possesses, the real situation can be immediately learned by it, and appreciating the responsibility of its treaty obligations, it should at once take adequate measures for safety and protection.
For the present, the undersigned can only act upon this general warning and demand that all necessary measures be taken. It is always much easier to avoid difficulties than to settle them afterwards.
However, the undersigned requests that your highness and your excellencies will at once inform him what the real situation is in the locality mentioned in the telegram, and what adequate measures have been taken by the Chinese Government to control it.
The undersigned avails, etc.
The Tsungli Yamen to Mr.Conger.
Your Excellency: We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note, of recent date, stating that you had just received from the United States consul at Chefoo the following telegram:
“Ichow telegraphs cavalry useless. Antiforeign rebellion imminent. Two north I Swei stations mobbed. Believe situation dangerous,” etc.
Your excellency, therefore, requested that adequate measures be taken for safety and protection, and that you be informed of the real situation and also what measures have been taken, etc.
In the personal interview with the yamen last month your excellency stated that you were in receipt of a telegram from the United States consul at Chefoo to the effect that at a place called Ts’ao Chuang, in Shantung, missionary property had been destroyed and missionaries severely injured. At that time this yamen telegraphed the governor of Shantung to make investigation and act accordingly. He was also instructed to send soldiers to repress the outbreak and render protection.
Subsequently we received a telegram from the governor of Shantung stating that he had ordered that a careful investigation be made by the Lan Shan magistrate, who, moreover, reported that there, was no such trouble; but, on inquiring of a missionary, he was told that the disturbance was at a place called Tso Ch’uan Chuang, in the district of I Shui, which had been mistaken for Ts’ao Chuang, etc.
Again he ordered that an investigation be made by the I Shui Hsien magistrate, who reported that there is a Catholic mission at a place called Pei Tso Ch’üan Chuang. It was rumored that at Tso Ch’üan Chuang a native Christian, named Chang K’e Hsiang, a wealthy man of the village, fearing that some disturbance might arise, went to the missionary, Fu Wei Ssu, and spread false reports. The missionary made no investigation of the matter, and so it was telegraphed. The truth is that there was no such disturbance.
After the governor of Shantung received our telegram, he immediately ordered the Lan Shan Hsien and I Shui magistrates to thoroughly investigate the matter, and both reported that no such trouble existed. Therefore it is to be really believed.
This yamen has again sent instructions to the governor of Shantung to order his subordinates to render protection in good earnest, and in duty bound we send this reply for your excellency’s information.
Cards of ministers, with compliments.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli yamen.
Pekin, China, February 3, 1899.
Recalling the attention of your highness and your excellencies to the riots against the missionary stations in the districts of Chu Chou, Ji Chao, and I Swei, province of Shantung, which have resulted in outrageous persecutions of Christians and considerable destruction of mission property and to which this legation has several times referred with respectful requests that measures be taken by the Chinese Government to repress them, the undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States of America, regrets to report that, notwithstanding the instructions issued by the tsungli yamen to the provincial officials, he is reliably informed that the rioting and persecutions still continue and will continue until the ringleaders are arrested and made to understand, by adequate punishment, that this thing must stop.
It has been agreed by treaty that the teachings of Christianity are good, both for foreigners and Chinese, and that all peaceably professing Christianity or conducting its work shall not be interfered with. Under these stipulations the Government of the United States has permitted its citizens to come to China and engage in this work, and it insists that their legitimate work shall not be interfered with by lawless persons.
The Government of China has demonstrated many times that these riotous persons can be controlled and this persecution be prevented if only stern and emphatic measures be employed.
Therefore the undersigned presents, on a separate sheet herewith, the names of the principal ringleaders who are known to have conducted recent riots against missionary stations at Liu Ts’un village, Chu Chou district; Man T’ang and Ho Chia Lou villages, Ji Chao district; and Sung Yuan Chwang and Hsi Kou Chuang villages, I Swei district, and demands their immediate arrest and severe punishment.
This is necessary in order that mission work may go on, mission property and lives be safe, and serious trouble and unpleasant complications be avoided.
The undersigned improves, etc.,