Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1900
Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
Pekin, China, December 7, 1899.
Sir: I regret to report a very critical state of affairs among the missionaries and their converts in certain parts of Shantung.
The season has been a poor one—crops have failed on account of the drought; great poverty and want prevail. An unusual amount of looting is a result, and naturally the foreigners or their followers come in for the larger share of grief.
Early in October last a secret society called “Boxers,” in the neighborhood of Ch’ih Ping, assembled with the avowed purpose of driving out foreigners and of extirpating Christians, but, upon aid being requested by the missionaries, soldiers were sent and, on October 18, a conflict ensued which resulted in the killing of some fifty or more of the Boxers and in dispersing them.
The trouble then seemed to be over, but unfortunately a number of citizens of the village where the affair occurred were killed or wounded, in consequence of which the governor arrested the officer commanding the troops and memorialized the Throne for his impeachment, because, the governor says, of the mistake in killing others than the Boxers.
This action of the governor encouraged the Boxers, and they have since rallied again and are doing much damage to the Christian converts, extorting money from them, threatening the missions, and giving ample cause for serious alarm.
I have, by repeated notes and visits to the Tsungli Yamen, made strenuous demands for the suppressing of the rioters and the protection of these people. They reply that they have given peremptory orders to the governor, and that he is doing all he can to disperse the brigands and protect the people. Copies of telegrams and correspondence inclosed will show what has been done.
The German Catholic missionaries had serious trouble in the province during last summer, but the German minister informs me that he has no late complaints.
The French minister is in receipt of most alarming news from the Italian missionaries in Shantung, who are under his charge, reporting robberies, burning of dwellings, and even death of converts.
It is generally understood that the governor, Yu-Hsien, is strongly antiforeign, and believed that he is by no means doing what he could and should do.
As you will see from my note to the Tsungli Yamen, I have, without demanding it, suggested the necessity and propriety of his removal, [Page 78] and I am glad to report that yesterday General Yuan Shih-kai, of the imperial guard, was appointed acting governor. He is an able, brave, courageous man, has mingled much with foreigners, and it is believed that, if the right kind of orders are given him from the Throne, the rioting will be stopped and order restored.
We hope so.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
Mr. Squiers to the Tsungli Yamen.
note verbale.
The legation of the United States of America has the honor to bring to the attention of the Tsungli Yamen a telegram which has just been received from the American board mission at Douchou, in the province of Shantung, through the United States consul at Tientsin, to the effect that a Catholic chapel has been destroyed 30 miles southeast of there, that the Boxers are determined to advance to Douchou, and that the governor ignores the situation, taking no steps whatever to check the movement.
The legation has, therefore, to request that the Tsungli Yamen will immediately cause such telegraphic instructions to be given to the governor of this province as will secure to American citizens lining in the threatened districts the protection, in both lives and property, to which they are, under the treaties, entitled.
Mr. Squiers to the Tsungli Yamen.
note verbale.
The legation of the United States has the honor to inform the Tsungli Yamen that it has just received a telegram from the United States consul at Chefoo, by which it is advised that Rev. W. B. Hamilton, an American missionary residing at Chinanfu, has telegraphed from that place that the Big Knife Society is engaged in burning chapels, looting, and killing Christain converts; that the governor has withdrawn his soldiers, and that the situation is regarded as critical.
In view of the above report, the legation has to request that the Tsungli Yamen will immediately cause such telegraphic instructions to be given to the governor of Shantung as will insure American citizens living there that full protection in both lives and property to which they are, under the treaties, guaranteed; and, further, that those persons who have been engaged in this disorderly affair be promptly arrested and brought to trial and punished.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli Yamen.
Pekin, China, November 25, 1899.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have the honor to report that I have just received a telegram from Rev. F. M. Chapin, of Linching, Shantung, as follows:
Lin-Ching, November 25, 1899.
Conger, United States Minister, Pekin:
Boxers raiding or threatening all Christians in four adjacent counties; officials refuse them protection; Boxers threaten mission premises here; aid promptly.
Chapin.
This shows an alarming situation, and unless promptly and vigorously dealt with will soon assume such proportions as will be difficult to control.
Some weeks ago, as you already know, a society of so-called “Boxers” assembled and started on a raid, which was promptly met by the local militia and dispersed, several of them being killed. This would probably have ended the trouble, but the governor, instead of complimenting the officer for his promptness and efficiency in preserving peace and protecting life and property, is reported to have arrested and threatened him with severe punishment.
This attitude of the governor has encouraged the brigands, and is evidently responsible for their present movements.
I trust your highness and your excellencies will fully appreciate the gravity of the situation and send such imperative orders by telegraph to the governor and other officials as will compel them to instantly use such forcible means as will forthwith disperse these threatening rioters and protect the lives and property of these people.
If it is not done, and done at once, life and property are sure to be destroyed and great trouble and annoying complications result.
In behalf of the American missionaries and their native converts, it is my duty to give your highness and your excellencies this note of warning and demand their protection, so that life and property may be preserved, or, in case of failure, the responsibility can be properly placed.
I avail myself, etc.
Mr. Ragsdale to Mr. Conger.
Viceroy telegraphed immediately governor Shantung contents my dispatch requesting immediate action. Smith just telegraphed Kaotang members pillaged, lives threatened unless ransomed. Officials inert. Troops useless. Implore minister get governor instructed sharp.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli Yamen.
Pekin, China, November 26, 1899.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have the honor to report the receipt of another telegram from the missionaries at Ling Ching, saying that native Christians at Kaotang have been pillaged and their lives threatened unless ransomed; that the officers are inert and troops useless.
From this and other reliable information received, taken in connection with the recent happenings in that vicinity, there can be no question but that the missionaries and native Christians there are in imminent peril, and it is all because the provincial and local officials are not doing their duty.
The United States consul at Tientsin reports that the viceroy, at his request, has sent several telegrams to the governor, but he either does not recognize his authority or fails to obey.
It seems that something more than the stereotyped telegram to take action is necessary to move this official.
I must therefore again demand that your highness and your excellencies will send at once such peremptory and unmistakable orders as will compel this governor to act, or yourselves take such other means as will stop these persecutions and protect the lives and property of these people.
Respectfully requesting that I may be early informed of the action taken, I renew to your highness and your excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration.
Mr. Fowler to Mr. Conger.
Two long telegrams to-day from Chinanfu. Situation extremely critical; governor sent thousand soldiers; useless; no restraint; Kaotang official refuses foreigners letters; rioters pillaging, arresting, intimidating, threaten death Protestant converts; they ask legation force governor act or superseded; Ping Yuen ringleaders unarrested.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli Yamen.
Pekin, China, November 27, 1899.
Your Excellencies: I am obliged to inform your highness and your excellencies that, notwithstanding the three notes already sent you from this legation regarding the extremely critical situation of the missionaries and native Christians in the vicinity of Pang Chuang and Ling Ching, province of Shantung, I am to-day in receipt of telegraphic information that rioting, pillaging, seizing, intimidating, and threatening death to Protestant converts still continue without restraint, and that the Kaotang official refuses to receive letters from the missionaries, and that no arrests have been made.
I have no doubt that your highness and your excellencies are giving due consideration to the alarming situation, but, in my judgment, every moment’s delay is fraught with great peril, the responsibility for which can not be escaped.
I again ask your highness and your excellencies to kindly give me immediate information as to what measures have been taken to protect these people, in order that I may telegraph them a word of encouragement or otherwise advise them, as the situation is critical.
I avail myself of the occasion to assure your highness and your excellencies of my highest consideration.
The Tsungli Yamen to Mr. Conger.
Your Excellency: We have the honor to receive your excellency’s note wherein you state that the missionaries at Ling Ching have telegraphed you saying that native Christians at Kaotang have been pillaged and their lives threatened unless ransomed, and that the officers are inert; that the United States consul at Tientsin reports that the viceroy, at his request, has sent several telegrams to the governor, but he fails to obey. Your excellency requested that peremptory orders be at once sent as will compel this governor to act and protect the lives and property of these people.
In reply we beg to inform your excellency that the yamen at once telegraphed the governor of Shantung ordering him to at once cause a thorough investigation made into the affair, and to dispatch soldiers, to use every means to suppress the rioters, that the matter must be not regarded as trifling and careless action taken, and that the local officers must not gloss over or make an external show of work that misleads, thus causing a failure in attending to the affair.
On receipt of the governor’s telegraphic reply we will again address your excellency.
Cards of ministers with compliments.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli Yamen.
Pekin, China, December 2, 1899.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have the honor to report to your highness and your excellencies the receipt last evening of the following telegram from Rev. Arthur Smith, an American missionary, which I at once placed in the hands of one of your secretaries at the Tsungli Yamen through Mr. Interpreter Cheshire. The telegram reads:
“Boxer rebellion, twenty counties Shantung, Chihli; rapidly spreading; pillage, arson, murders increasing; avowed object kill Christians, exterminate foreigners; Pang Chuang, Lin-Ching, Chinanfu Americans consider situation almost hopeless; reply awaited.
“Smith.”
This telegram was translated by Mr. Cheshire at the yamen last evening. He made a mistake, however, in translating the Chinese name of Mr. Smith.
This telegram shows that notwithstanding the orders of your highness and your excellencies to the governor the situation is rapidly growing worse and that the danger is increasing all the time. Something effective must be done or this matter will get beyond your control, and I again demand that another telegram at once be sent to Shantung and that measures requisite to the protection of these people be immediately taken as provided for by the treaties.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your highness and your excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration.
The Tsungli Yamen to Mr. Conger.
Your Excellency: We have had the honor to receive the several notes from your excellency embodying telegrams received from the American missionaries at Lin Ching, etc.
The yamen sent a telegram to the governor of Shantung ordering him to at once cause a thorough investigation into the affair and to use every means to suppress the rioters. The action thus taken was duly communicated to your excellency.
We have now received a telegraphic reply from the governor of Shantung, as follows:
“The said rioters commenced stirring up trouble at Ping Yuen. Soldiers were deputed to suppress the rioting. The rioters did not disperse and the soldiers opened fire and killed over thirty of their number. Some of the people of Ping Yuen were wounded by mistake. I memorialized the Throne, impeaching the officer for the mistake committed. The rioters then went to Ch’ih Ping and a battalion of soldiers from the brigade general’s and Taotai’s forces were dispatched to suppress them. This was done. The Boxers then passed through Pang Chuang (village) and were met by the Christians, who first opened fire on them and chased-and tried to capture them. The Boxers returned the attack and burned a missionary chapel. Later, on account of this affair, the Boxers again assembled together. I devised a plan to buy a clew toward the discovery of the rioters, and to accomplish this end I was not sparing in spending money. Two of the leading rioters, Chen Hung-teng and a priest of the Teng Chia Ssu (temple) were arrested. At Po Ping and Kaotang there are soldiers patrolling with stringent orders to arrest rioters. The missionary cases brought to my notice are numerous, and immediate action is always taken. Whether by day or night every effort has been put forth.
“In the yamen’s telegram of the 27th November the United States minister, Mr. Conger, remarks that the missionaries telegraph that the governor of Shatung ‘fails to obey’ and is not protecting the people, and that he is reported to have arrested and threatened (the officer in charge of the troops who dispersed the rioters) with severe punishment. Who made these statements? The missionaries have believed rumors without foundation of fact. I beg the yamen will tell his excellency Mr. [Page 82] Conger not to listen to the one-sided statements of missionaries, but to instruct them to restrain and keep the native Christians in order, which is important.”
We send the above telegram for the information of your excellency, and would ask you in turn to instruct the said missionaries to restrain and keep their converts in order and that they must not again cause trouble.
Cards of ministers, with compliments.
The Tsungli Yamen to Mr. Conger.
Your Excellency: We beg to inform your excellency that on the 30th of November the yamen received a telegraphic message from the governor of Shantung, as follows:
“The Boxers and the Christians do not get on together. I have again and again admonished them to make peace with each other, and the Boxers have gradually returned to their homes. I learn that while some of the Boxers were returning to their homes they passed through the Han-chuang (village), in the district of Yu Cheng. The Christians had set an ambush there and attacked the Boxers with rapid-firing guns, resulting in ten and more persons being killed. The Christians stole their ponies. In order to ascertain whether this report was true or not, I was just on the point of investigating the affair when I received from the magistrate of Yu Cheng, Mr. Hsiang, a petition setting forth in the general similar representations to what I had heard. A feeling of ill will has been contracted among these people which is becoming more intense every day, and from this time on the Boxers may again congregate together, and (that) in the future they will seek their revenge is a matter that can not be avoided.”
In sending this note to your excellency for your information, we ask that you will instruct the Christians of said place that they must not make trouble out of nothing, in order that cordial good feeling may prevail among the people and themselves.
Cards of ministers, with compliments.
Mr. Fowler to Mr. Conger.
Hamilton wires looting continues, violence increasing, burning converts’ houses. Forty-five families looted to date. Governor refuses to hear his subordinates or Americans.
Mr. Fowler to Mr. Conger.
Hamilton telegraphs governor inactive. Audacity rioters increasing. Saturday, 20 miles from Chinan, fourteen families looted; troops 2 miles away without aid.
Mr. H. P. Perkins to Mr. Conger.
Dear Sir: We are sending you to-day a telegram, which we follow with this letter, giving you a fuller view of our situation.
Hitherto, though living in much anxiety, we have refrained from adding to yours; but now that all four adjacent districts are involved in the same storm, and we ourselves are threatened, we are obliged to report and appeal to you for all the help you can give our converts and ourselves.
In the district of Po Ping, in the village of of Tau Lu Chuang, live two of our members—heads of families. They were raided on the morning of the 22d, and report that they lost practically everything. To redeem their houses from being fired they were, at last accounts, offering 300 taels.
In the same village the property of two women was taken, but was followed up by the owners, who asserted that they were neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant members, and all their goods were sent back.
A blind man in a near village, whom we do not claim as a member, but who gave us his name several years ago as wishing to join us, was caught, beaten, and finally released from further damage by paying 47 taels.
At Ch’ing Ping, in the Liuchia Hai Tse, six families, known as our members, have been attacked. Two hundred taels is demanded, and probably, though they are very poor, the larger part will be extorted.
Probably by this time all our members and probationers in these two districts have been attacked, or if not, for the simple reason that they have hidden their furniture, torn out their doors and windows, and have attempted to hide themselves from the Boxers.
To the north are the districts of Ch’ing Ho, in Chili, and Hsia Chin, in Shantung (northeast). This same society, known as the I Ho Ch’uan or Tao Hui (United Boxers or Big Sword Society), are reported as holding nightly meetings and preparing to attack all foreign converts. Only some ten days since the Hsia Chin official sent a good proclamation to the town where they have an out station, but the Boxers there are increasing in numbers and bad language. The dangerous feature of the situation is that this society and the public generally have discovered that the district officials are paralyzed. The governor sends out soldiers with strict orders not to fight, and the end of this evil policy is far beyond our vision.
The leader of the village militia, in the place where the blind man lives, called upon the district official and asked for instructions. The reply was: “Our own people we will protect; the foreigners’ converts we will not protect.” The Ch’ing Ping official sent this message to the Boxers: “Save my face and don’t come into the city. No foreign converts live within the walls.”
In conclusion, it is our deliberate judgment that to waken these officials from this deadly stupor most strict orders from Pekin must be sent both to Chinan and to the district officials of all this region, and the notification that they will be held responsible for all loss and harm coming to all who are raided, irrespective of their religious connections. Once more the officials, we believe, must arrest the leaders and keep them in confinement before this rebellion can be suppressed.
There are now living in this place four families and the Wykoff sisters, from Pang Chuang. Besides the two families of the American Board Mission (F. M. Chapin, H. P. Perkins) there are of the independent mission of Mr. Houlding, his family, and that of Mr. McCann and Miss Jones; in all, nineteen persons.
We all live outside the walled city. The independent mission is located opposite the military colonel’s yamen, and we hope will prove a safer place than our own compound in case of attack.
We shall be exceedingly loath to leave this place, which, indeed, is practically impossible. We hope that very firm and persistent pressure by all the powers concerned in Pekin will speedily result in extirpating this very formidable rebellion.
We do not feel sure that the spirit of this uprising is distinctly antiforeign, but we are sure that these society people believe that they can pillage all members of the Roman Catholic and Protestant connections, as well as their foreign teachers, with impunity.
For the American citizens residing in Lin Ch’ing.
Mr. Conger to the Tsungli Yamen.
Pekin, China, December 5, 1899.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: Notwithstanding the repeated telegrams from the governor of Shantung that he was dispatching soldiers, preserving order, and protecting the lives and property of the missionaries and their native converts, and notwithstanding the assurance given me by your highness and your excellencies last night that everything possible was being done to put down the rioters, yet I have this moment received telegraphic information from Chinanfu that violence is increasing, that converts’ houses are being burned, that 43 families have been looted up to date, and that the governor refuses to hear either his own subordinates or the Americans.
There must be some way found to put a stop to this or else the Government of China must acknowledge its utter helplessness. I repeat what I said in our conference last evening—that if this governor will not or can not control the rioters and protect these people he should be removed at once and some one put in his place who can and will, and if he has not military force sufficient to do it, aid should be sent him from the well-drilled troops at Tientsin.
If these troubles were in some far-off province, there might be some excuse for a failure to put them down, but in an adjoining province, almost under the shadow of the imperial palace, and with camps of well-drilled and well-armed imperial troops within easy reach there can be none.
Unless the Imperial Chinese Government take some immediate effective measures to suppress these brigands the outside world will be justified in the belief that China is purposely trifling with a momentous question, which may lead to the needless murder of foreigners whom she has agreed to protect and to the most serious trouble for herself.
I hasten to send to your highness and your excellencies this latest information, to give you another warning, and to repeat once more my emphatic demand that some measures be taken at once which will put a stop to these persecutions and avert threatened danger.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your highness and your excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration.
Mr. Conger to Mr. Smith.
Yuan-shih-kai appointed governor Shantung.