Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, May 8,
1900.
No. 368.]Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of
Department’s instruction No. 246 of March 22 last, and have carefully
noted its several suggestions concerning the missionary troubles in
Shantung and Chihli.
As to the failure of the Chinese Government to adequately punish the
ringleaders in the Chichou antiforeign cases of last year as was
promised by the Tsungli Yamen, the legation had no notice that they had
not been punished until, on the return from my consular tour last year,
I wired to the missionaries to ascertain what had been done.
I immediately recalled the matter to the attention of the Tsungli Yamen
and insisted that the promised punishment should be inflicted, and am
still insisting upon it.
With reference to the contemporaneous action by identic notes, with the
other ministers I must acknowledge that under all the circumstances, it
was neither the wisest nor strongest method of procedure. But just at
that time the danger seemed to be imminent, and the missionaries were
all demanding joint action as the only possible safety, and the other
ministers, in view of the general danger, were urging it, so I did not
care to take for myself or my Government the entire responsibility which
would be charged for an absolute refusal should serious trouble happen.
Hence I consented to the contemporaneus action.
As it turns out I believe that the separate action of any one of us would
have been more potent, and I shall not fail to profit by the
experience.
Concerning the report of an attack upon the “Boxers” by Christians of
which you inquire, the fact, as near as can be ascertained, is that as a
party of “Boxers” were passing through a village near Ling Ching,
Shantung, the Koman Catholic Christians did attack and kill several as a
punishment for previously committed outrages.
It is always extremely difficult to ascertain and establish the real
facts in any of these cases at so great a distance in the interior.
The reports of the missionaries are necessarily based upon information
which they receive from their excited, frightened, and ignorant
converts, who generally believe that they can of right call upon the
missionaries in every case of trouble of whatever sort, and are
continuously expecting and clamoring for foreign protection. On the
other hand, the Tsungli Yamen always has its side of the case made up by
officials trying to exculpate themselves, and who are not always
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careful about the truth. In no
case as yet have the “Boxers” attacked any American mission or disturbed
any property in the towns or villages where they are stationed,
I have therefore, in forming conclusions, taken into consideration every
fact within my reach, and made such vigorous and persistent
presentations to the Chinese Government as the cases seem to warrant or
that I believed the situation of my Government could sustain.
I shall be glad to be informed if under all the circumstances, the
Department would have made stronger or more insistent demands.
I have not, therefore, been able to use as an argument the assurances,
recently obtained by the United States Government from the great treaty
powers, not to interfere with the integrity of the Chinese Empire,
because, until the receipt of Department’s instructions No. 246 I have
had no information as to the success of the negotiations.
Such details concerning the assurances as the Department may deem proper
to communicate should be of great value to the legation.
However, in the meantime, I shall as directed, opportunely use the
assurances and declarations of the great powers set forth in the
above-named instruction as evidencing their firm determination to
preserve a uniform line of policy in regard to affairs in China; and I
shall continue, as I have been doing, to impress upon the Chinese
Government that the Government of the United States is firmly determined
that the treaty stipulations as to the rights of all American citizens,
and their work, shall be faithfully carried out, not only for their
benefit but for that of China as well.
I have very carefully read the correspondence of my predecessor to which
you refer, and have taken the view of the Department of State therein
set forth substantially as my guide, except in the matter of punishment
of high provincial officials.
You will observe from the correspondence that the Tsungli Yamen flatly
refused to comply with Minister Denby’s suggestions in this regard, and
when he reiterated them his note was never answered. Nothing short of an
exhibition, and I believe the actual employment of force will ever
constrain the Imperial Government to punish such officials.
It seems to me, therefore, unwise to insistently make particular demands
which we know will not be complied with.
The situation in Shantung is much improved, but the “Boxers” seem to be
spreading northward through this province (Chihli). In many places small
bands, mostly composed of boys from fifteen to twenty, are drilling and
practicing what they term quarterstaff. A number of teachers go through
the country, gather together the idle young men at the various villages
and organize them into companies and pretend if they will, under their
direction, go through certain gymnastic movements and repeat certain
incantations, that they will become impervious to all weapons and
nothing can harm them. The instructors charge them, always, an
initiation fee, so it is not certain whether the organization is the
prime object of these teachers, or whether it is to secure money.
Recently, in some villages near Paoting-fu, some 75 miles southwest of
Pekin, there occurred two conflicts with the Catholics, who are well
armed, and with the help of the soldiers about 70 “Boxers” were killed.
A few like experiences will show the falsity of their teacher’s
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professions and prove to them
that they are as easily killed as anyone.
Their antipathy is not directed entirely against Christians, but against
foreigners generally, and there is no doubt that it receives its first
impetus from the especial advisers of the Empress Dowager. The two grand
secretaries, Kang-I and Hsu Tung, who probably have more real influence
over her than any others, are known to be malignantly hostile to all
foreigners or foreign ideas.
However, there seems to be no known or recognized general leaders of the
movement, and at present they are practically unorganized.
The present conditions in this province are most favorable to such a
movement. The people are very poor; until yesterday practically no rain
has fallen for nearly a year, plowing has not been and can not be done,
crops have not been planted, the ground is too dry and hard to work in
any way, and consequently the whole country is swarming with hungry,
discontented, hopeless idlers, and they * * * are ready to join any
organization offered. There are always clever scoundrels to take
advantage of such a situation. Therefore false reports accrediting all
sorts of evil practices to the foreigners and native Christians are
industriously circulated, such as poisoning wells, preventing rainfall,
and causing poverty, disease, and death. Frequent anonymous placards are
posted (of course many times by irresponsible people) setting forth
these practices and urging the people to rise and exterminate all
foreigners.
If the rain, now commenced, continues copiously, I apprehend we will hear
little more of the “Boxers.” But unless we do have an immediate and
generous rainfall, or the Government adopts some stronger effective
repressive measures, serious trouble may result, not only to foreign
interests, but to the Imperial Government itself.
The Government either strongly sympathizes with the “Boxers” or it is
afraid of them. It is reported and believed that there are many “Boxers”
and sympathizers with them in the army, and they all, both in and out of
the army, claim to be patriotically in favor of the present dynasty. If,
therefore, the Government should treat them too harshly, or punish too
severely, a revolution might be the result and the Government find
itself without the ability of successful defense. This dynasty is not
popular anywhere south of this province, and, with the existing palace
troubles, finds considerable cause for anxiety.
They claim they are doing all they can to suppress these societies, but
say on every occasion that it is very difficult, because of the good and
bad mixed together.
It has been the custom for centuries, but especially since the Tai Ping
rebellion, for villages to organize local companies or trained bands for
their protection and safety. The “Boxers” have taken advantage of this,
and, in many places, the organizations have merged. Hence the
difficulty, which the yamen mentions, of discriminating between the good
and the bad.
I have, both by note and orally, insisted that China has by treaty agreed
that missionaries and their converts should be permitted to peaceably
teach and practice the principles of Christianity wherever they pleased
in China, and that it was her duty to see to it” that such law and order
prevail throughout the Empire that this could safely
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be done, and that my Government would
continue to demand the faithful execution of these treaty
obligations.
Recently I have secured copies of some antiforeign booklets which are
being sold on the Pekin streets, and by my request many copies, together
with the blocks on which they were printed, have been seized and
destroyed. I inclose translation of tsungli yamen’s note upon the
subject.
On the 6th instant a stone was thrown into the compound of the
Presbyterian mission in this city and several anonymous threatening
placards, translations of which are inclosed, have been posted in that
vicinity and elsewhere.
Yesterday I sjent Mr. Cheshire to the Tsungli Yamen with a memorandum,
copy Sere with, and to-day I am transmitting a note on the same subject
of which I also inclose herein a copy.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
The Secretaries of the
Tsungli Yamen to Mr. Cheshire.
Sir: A few days ago when you called at the
yamen, you handed us a memorandum and two small books, and stated
that Mr. Conger had instructed you to say that as the books
contained slanderous language against foreigners, he desired that
their publication and sale be prohibited.
The yamen at the time addressed the gendarmerie, requesting that
instructions be issued at once to investigate the matter and not
allow persons to publish such books, which are calculated to create
and arouse suspicion in the minds of the people.
The gendarmerie has now reported that Sublieutenant Yen Chi-pin, on
duty at the east Chu Shih Ko’u, had presented a petition stating
that in a bookshop on the Ta Mo Chang, 132 volumes of the book
called The Eighteen Loyal and Patriotic Societies, and the other
book called An Admirable Plan to Destroy Foreign Buildings, together
with the blocks (four of them) from which the books were printed,
had been seized and burned in the presence of officials.
Further, Lieutenant Yu Te-lu, on duty at the Hsi Ho Yen, had
petitioned that in a bookshop on the Nan Liu Hsiang these books were
also being sold. Ninety volumes were seized, together with four
blocks, which were also burned in the presence of the officials.
The yamen considers that the officers above named have acted in good
earnest in seizing the books and blocks mentioned, and it is
believed that such publications will not again be issued and offered
for sale.
We beg that you will be good enough to inform His Excellency Mr.
Conger of the contents of this note.
Cards of Shu Wen and Ku Chao-hsin, secretaries of the tsungli yamen,
with compliments.
[Inclosure 2.]
Translation of a placard issued by Li, god of
wealth and of increasing happiness.
The Roman Catholic and Protestant religion have ruined and destroyed
Buddhism. Their adherents have insulted the gods and holy ones, and
do not observe the law of Buddha. They have irritated heaven, and in
consequence no rain has fallen. Eight millions of spiritual soldiers
will be sent down from heaven to sweep away the foreigners. There
has only been a fine rain. It will not be long before
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the soldiers will be
aroused to action, and there will be a calamity among the military
and people. The Buddhist religion and the society of “Righteous
Harmony” can protect the Empire and give peace and tranquillity to
the people. Whoever sees this placard and distributes six copies of
it will thereby prevent a calamity to one household. The circulation
of ten copies of it will prevent a calamity to a village. Those who
see this placard and do not circulate it will commit a crime
punishable by decapitation. If foreigners are not swept away no rain
will fall. If there are any who have taken the foreigners’ poisonous
medicine they should eat seven black plums, and take five mace of Tu
Chung (a climbing plant with black-spotted stalks and leaves) and
seven mace of Mao Tsao (a medicinal herb). This spiritual
prescription should be steamed in water and then taken.
Note.—The above placard was sent to Mr.
Conger in Chinese text by Dr. J. L. Whiting, of the American
Presbyterian Mission.
Translation of a proclamation issued by Li, god
of wealth and of increasing happiness.
Let it be known to all the soldiers and people that the Roman
Catholic and Protestants have treated the gods contemptuously,
exterminated the sacred doctrine, and not observed Buddhism. They
have established chapels everywhere and have taken opportunity to
get vagabonds from all places to propagate their doctrine and spread
teachings that are in defiance of reason. They have acted of their
own free will and accord at cross purposes (?) and by their acts
aroused the anger of the Great Heaven, and in consequence no rain
has fallen. Eight million of spiritual soldiers will descend from
Heaven and expel and subdue these foul hordes of malignant,
aggressive, and unscrupulous persons. Should there be any remaining
obstinately fixed in delusion (?) it will not be long before the
soldiers will be aroused to action and there will be a calamity
among the military and people. If you will immediately join the
“Society of Righteous Harmony,” then the Empire will be protected
and peace and tranquillity prevail among the people. The old and the
young who see this proclamation and spread its contents abroad will
thereby prevent a calamity to one household. Those who do not
circulate it will suffer punishment by losing their heads.
Note.—The above proclamation was sent to
Mr. Conger in Chinese text by Dr. George Lowry, of the Methodist
Mission.
[Inclosure 3.]
Memorandum of an interview between Mr. Cheshire
and Wang Ching-mu, secretary of the Tsungli Yamen, on May 7,
1900.
(There were no ministers at the yamen.)
Mr. Cheshire stated that he had been instructed by Mr. Conger to
present to the yamen certain matters involving the “Boxers.”
Yesterday morning, during church service at the missionary chapel of
the Presbyterian Mission in the Ya-erh street, a missile of
considerable size was hurled over the wall into the mission compound
by a Boxer, barely missing the head of a servant inside. Further,
during the last few days a number of placards threatening foreigners
have been posted on the walls near the mission premises, containing
very bad expressions against foreigners in general. One of these
placards was thrown into the mission compound. Groups of “Boxers”
are also practicing at several places in the neighborhood of the
mission, and one of these groups has openly avowed in the presence
of a Chinese Christian that their purpose is to destroy the
foreigners at the two Presbyterian Mission stations, in the Ya-erh
and Erh-tiao streets. This same sentiment is constantly expressed on
the streets and in the tea shops near the mission; and the “Boxers”
so far from regarding the proclamation of the commandant of the
gendarmerie of April 30 have had the effrontery to paste their
placards on the top of it, boldly and openly claiming that the late
Imperial edicts give them full protection.
Mr. Cheshire was instructed by Mr. Conger to say that he was
surprised to find that these unlawful acts could happen, and such a
condition of affairs exist, in Pekin, the capital of China, and
conclusively shows beyond doubt that the local officers are not
acting energetically in taking steps to arrest the outlaws who
commit such
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unlawful acts.
Mr. Cheshire requested the secretary to bring the matter to the
attention of the ministers of the yamen as soon as possible, and
requested, on behalf of his minister, that proper steps be
immediately taken to cause the arrest and punishment of the persons
who put out these placards and committed the lawless act complained
of. Further that officers be dispatched to preserve order and that
proclamations be posted warning the “Boxers” against creating
trouble. This is nothing more or less than a duty incumbent on the
local officers of the place, and they should not treat the matter
with indifference. If vigorous action is not taken at once to
prevent the “Boxers” from drilling and putting out inflammatory
placards, we shall have a repetition of the serious troubles that
occurred in Shantung.
Mr. Cheshire handed the secretary a copy of two placards, who
promised to bring the matter to the attention of the ministers of
the yamen as soon as they arrived.
Mr. Cheshire pointed out that one of the placards was handed to Mr.
Conger by Dr. Lowry, of the Methodist Mission.
[Inclosure 4.]
Mr. Conger to
the Tsungli Yamen.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, May
9, 1900.
Your Highness and your Excellencies: In
addition to the memorandum which, by my direction, Mr. Cheshire left
for your highness and your excellencies at the tsungli yamen
yesterday, concerning the throwing a stone into and posting
offensive placards in the vicinity of the Presbyterian Mission, the
repeated threats uttered against the missionaries, and the continued
public drilling of “Boxers” in the city, it is my duty to add that
such a state of things, right in the presence of the tsungli yamen
and under the shadow of the Imperial palace, shows a lack of
appreciation of the impending danger by the Imperial Government, a
neglect of duty on the part of minor officials, and a careless
treatment of serious treaty obligations by the Chinese Government
that is disappointing in the extreme, gives just cause of alarm to
all concerned, and is bringing merited disgrace upon the good name
of the Empire.
From the beginning of these troubles last year in Shantung,
notwithstanding the repeated representations from this legation and
the resulting Imperial decrees and consequent assurances from your
highness and your excellencies, the “Boxers” have been continually
spreading and steadily advancing toward Pekin, until now they have
finally, boldly, and unhindered, marched directly into this
capital.
My Government has been kept fully advised of the situation and has
given the subject the most careful consideration.
It views with lively concern the apparent dilatoriness which the
Chinese Government exhibits in suppressing these antiforeign
movements, and in punishing all those directly or remotely involved
therein, and instructs me to again represent to your highness and
your excellencies the pressing necessity of taking immediate and
radical measures for the extermination of these lawless brigands,
and for the protection of Americans residing in the disturbed
districts, and to insure to the native converts the free and
peaceable exercise of their religion assured to them under treaty
and by numerous Imperial decrees.
The Government of the United States has always been the constant and
considerate friend of China, and its friendly interest has just been
renewedly evidenced by the fact that in the recent assurances which
it has secured from the great powers holding leased territory of
areas of influence in China, concerning freedom of trade in said
regions and the maintenance therein of Chinese rights of
sovereignty, it has obtained thereby a renewed assurance of the
policy of the treaty powers not to interfere with the integrity of
the Chinese Empire. * * *
The views of my Government as to the rights of American citizens in
China, and the treaty obligations of the Chinese Government to
protect them, have repeatedly been represented to your highness and
your excellencies by this legation, and must be fully understood;
but in the light of the present conditions I am constrained to
inform your highness and your excellencies that my Government is
more determined than ever to see them carried out, not only in the
interest of its citizens and their rights, but for the
unquestionable benefit of China itself.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your highness and your
excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration.
