Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, March 10,
1900.
No. 338.]
Sir: Confirming on the overleaf my telegram of
the 9th instant,1 and
continuing the subject-matter of my dispatch No. 316 of January 29 last,
in which I reported that after a conference of the English, German,
French, and American ministers the situation caused by the Boxer and Big
Sword societies was considered so serious that on January 27 identical
notes were sent by the ministers to the Tsungli Yamen requesting that an
imperial decree be issued and published naming these two societies and
ordering their immediate suppression, etc., copy of which was
transmitted in said dispatch, I have the honor to report that not
receiving, reply I wrote again on February 6 and 21, copies
inclosed.
On February 25 the four ministers received reply, translation of which I
inclose, informing them that a decree had been issued directing [Page 103] the viceroy of Chihli and the
governor of Shantung to issue proclamations prohibiting the societies,
etc.
This did not comply with our request, and so another conference of the
ministers, in which the Italian minister joined, was held, and it was
decided to each send another identical note repeating our former request
and adding that the decree should be published in the Pekin Gazette, the
decree of January 11 having been thus published. This note was prepared
February 27 and a personal joint conference with the Tsungli Yamen
arranged for March 2, at which these notes were to be delivered; but on
March 1 a note was received inclosing a copy of a proclamation embodying
a “secret decree” which had been issued by the viceroy of Chihli,
translation inclosed.
This decree was an excellent one, but it did not mention the Big Sword
society, nor had it been given the publicity of the Pekin Gazette, as
had the mischievous one of January 11.
The five ministers, therefore, called in a body on the Tsungli Yamen on
March 2, and each reiterated his demand that the decree should be
published in the Pekin Gazette and that it should name both societies.
The prince and ministers replied that the Big Sword Society was not
named because it had in fact become merged into the Boxers, and that
sending out a decree as they had this was more effective than if
published in the Pekin Gazette. We insisted that it should still have
publication, because in no other way would it become generally
authori-tively known and so counteract the ill effect of the decree of
January 11. They replied that it was not in accordance with Chinese law
to publish a decree in the Gazette after it had already been otherwise
promulgated. We left our notes, and they promised to consider the matter
and reply to us in writing.
On the 7th instant an identical note was received by each minister,
repeating the excuses made to us verbally and declining to comply with
our request, translation of which I inclose.
In the meantime the Boxers have been continually organizing, drilling,
and spreading. They are insolent, abusive, and threatening to both
missionaries and native Christians, but making no recent actual attacks.
Yet the missionaries are still confined to their homes and their work
practically abandoned.
Another conference of the five ministers was held yesterday, and it was
unanimously agreed that the only effective way to deal with the trouble
was the publishing of a decree such as we had requested, and, believing
the excuses of the Tsungli Yamen were only frivolous and that there
could be no assurance of safety for native Christians or any foreigners
until it was done, we decided to send another identical note informing
them that their reply was wholly inadequate and unsatisfactory and
insisting that our demand should be complied with without delay, and if
it was not, we should advise our Governments to take such other measures
as would insure the protection of their respective nationals. I inclose
a copy of the note.
I ought to add that it is believed their reason for not mentioning the
Big Sword Society in the decree is because the late Governor Yu, of
Shantung, whom we had had removed, was either directly connected or in
collusion with this society. But a special reason for their
unwillingness to publish the decree in the Gazette is because since our
meeting with the Tsungli Yamen it has been publicly known that the
ministers have demanded it and a compliance therewith will, it is [Page 104] thought, cause the Tsungli
Yamen to “lose face” with their people. It is my firm conviction that a
compliance with our request is all-important.
The Chinese Government have, either purposely or through fear of a
general uprising, flagrantly trifled with this matter from the beginning
and have grossly violated their treaty obligations. The oldest
missionaries say they have never experienced a situation so generally
critical.
The Chinese Government should, therefore, be made to definitely
understand that we intend not only to insist upon but to compel such
treatment and protection of missionaries and their converts as the
treaties provide.
It is believed by all the ministers that if the Tsungli Yamen does not
respond to our request that a naval demonstration, made by two or three
ships of each Government in the bay of Chili, would make them comply
quickly. But in case this should fail, if as a last resort a marine
guard was xanded by each power, to be brought to Pekin on the plea of
protecting the foreign legations, there would be little doubt of ready
compliance, because nothing could chagrin or grieve them more than for
the word to go forth that they could not preserve order or protection at
their imperial capital, and they would do almost anything rather than
have this happen again.
The five ministers all agree with this, and are so advising their
respective Governments by telegraph and by dispatch.
I trust these suggestions will meet with the Department’s approval, and
that, upon receipt of my telegram of yesterday, and from what is already
known of the situation, arrangements are being made with the Navy
Department preparatory to a movement by two or more vessels if it should
be necessary, of which I will give the Department of State due notice by
cable.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Conger to
the Tsungli Yamen.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, February 6, 1900.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have
the honor to report to your highness and your excellencies that I
have just received telegraphic information from the American
missionaries at P’ang Chuang that the boxers in Hsiachin and Enhsien
are still aggressive, insolent, and unarrested; that the
proclamations are disregarded, and the situation continues
dangerous.
In view of the decree of January 4 ultimo from the Throne, the
promises and proclamations of Governor Yuan, and the repeated
assurances of your highness and your excellencies upon this subject,
this state of affairs is certainly most remarkable, and if it
continues much longer will justify the conclusion that China is
either unwilling to carry out her treaty obligations or that she is
unable to. Neither of these presumptions can she afford to have
entertained by interested and friendly powers. Why, then, does she
not promptly suppress the trouble and punish the criminals?
Awaiting a favorable reply to my note of January 27 on this same
subject, I avail myself of the occasion to assure your highness and
your excellencies of my highest consideration.
[Page 105]
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Conger to
the Tsungli Yamen.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, February 21, 1900.
Youe Highness and Your Excellencies: On the
27th ultimo I had the honor to address to your highness and your
excellencies a note upon the deplorable situation in Shantung,
brought about by the rioting, robbing, and persecutions committed by
the Boxer and Big Knife societies, in which I pointed out the
necessity and requested the publishing of an imperial decree which
should accomplish the complete suppression and abolition of these
two lawless and destructive organizations.
Iam surprised that it has remained so long unanswered. The importance
of the subject and the gravity of the situation merited an early
reply. I therefore beg that your highness and your excellencies,
giving the matter the careful and considerate attention it requires,
will immediately reply thereto.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your highness and your
excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration.
[Inclosure 3.]
The Tsungli Yamen to
Mr. Conger.
Pekin, February 25,
1900.
Your Excellency: On the 21st instant the
prince and ministers had the honor to receive a communication from
the minister of the United States in regard to the troubles in
Shantung, caused by the organization of outlaws, in which it was
pointed out that in his former communication (January 27) the
request was made that an Imperial decree be issued ordering that
these organizations be stringently prohibited, but up to the present
time no reply had been received, and the minister of the United
States asked that the matter be submitted to the Throne, as
originally requested, and a reply sent to him, etc.
In regard to this matter the prince and ministers have the honor to
state that on the 19th instant the yamen presented a memorial to the
Throne, and a decree was issued at the time ordering the viceroy of
Chihli and governor of Shantung to issue proclamations for the
information of the people stringently prohibiting (these
societies).
[Inclosure 4.]
The Tsungli Yamen to
Mr. Conger.
Your Excellency: In the matter of
stringently prohibiting the society called the “Boxers” that have
been causing trouble in the provinces of Chihli and Shantung,
sometime ago the yamen memorialized the Throne, and, in obedience to
an imperial decree, sent instructions to the viceroy of Chihli and
governor of Shantung to issue proclamations stringently prohibiting
it. On the 25th of February the prince and ministers had the honor
of addressing the minister of the United States on the subject.
The viceroy of Chihli has now reported that he has issued circular
instructions to the officers of the various districts to put out
proclamations for the information of the people. The viceroy also
submits a draft of the proclamation. On receipt of a reply from the
governor of Shantung the yamen will communicate same to the minister
of the United States, and, as in duty bound, they send a copy of the
draft of the proclamation of the viceroy of Chihli for his
information.
[Page 106]
[Inclosure 5.]
Proclamation by the viceroy of Chihli in the
matter of the issuance of stringent prohibitions.
On the 21st of February, 1900, the viceroy received the following
decree: “The Tsungli Yamen have memorialized us requesting that our
commands be issued stringently prohibiting the society called the
‘Boxers.’ Last year the governor of Shantung telegraphed that in the
various districts the society called the ‘Fist of Righteous
Harmony,’ an enemy to Christianity, had been committing trouble
everywhere. They had also extended their depredations to the
southern part of the province of Chihli. We repeatedly issued our
instructions to the viceroy of Chihli and governor of Shantung to
dispatch soldiers to prevent these acts of violence and preserve
order. This class of society is secretly formed, and the members
collect in numbers and create trouble. If stringent measures are not
taken to prevent this the ignorant people will become excited with
suspicion, which feeling will daily spread and increase and result
in serious consequences. It will then be necessary to use armed
forces to suppress the evil, and this may lead to serious loss of
life. We can not bear the idea of causing lives to be taken without
first admonishing the people.
“Let the viceroy of Chihli and governor of Shantung issue
proclamations that this society must be stringently prohibited, so
that the people may know that the secret formation of such an
organization is in violation of law and that the evil practices of
it must positively be gotten rid of and efforts put forth to make
the people good. Should those who have been misguided not awake to
the sense of their position, and still follow their old ways, they
are to be at once severely”dealt with, and no leniency whatever will
be shown. Both non-Christians and converts are, alike, our subjects,
and when cases of litigation arise between them the local
authorities must decide then in accordance with justice; they should
merely distinguish between the right and the wrong, and not as to
whether a person is a Christian or non-Christian—and not the least
partiality is to be shown—thus showing our desire to treat all alike
with the same kindness. Let this be known to the viceroy of Chihli
and governor of Shantung.”
The statutes rigorously prohibits loafers, who have no particular
occupation and who style themselves teachers in the practice of the
art of boxing and quarterstaff, from teaching these things, or
pupils to employ these men and study this art. It is also a
violation of law for persons to brandish arms and do acrobatic
feats, or to roam about the streets and market places deceiving the
people for the purpose of gain. Teachers violating the law in the
above respect, after arrest, will be punished with a hundred blows
and banished 3,000 li; those who study and practice the art receive
one hundred blows and banishment for three years, and on expiration
of their terms of banishment they are to be escorted to their homes,
and there kept under the strictest restraint. If these persons are
harbored in houses, inns, or temples, and their whereabouts not
reported, the ti pao, or head wardman, who fails to arrest them will
receive eighty blows.
The teaching of boxing and quarterstaff, and for persons to deceive
the people for the purpose of gain, are therefore violations of law.
Moreover, of late simple and ignorant persons have been deceived and
influenced by brigands and outlaws from afar to believe in sorcery,
and that the spirits from on high will descend and aid and protect
their bodies, so that they can withstand the fire of guns or cannon,
and they have therefore secretly formed the society called the “Fist
of Righteous Harmony,” the members of which have practiced boxing
and quarterstaff, which has spread to ail quarters, as an enemy of
Christianity. This society has created trouble and disturbances,
and, on soldiers being dispatched to arrest the evil doers, they
have been fierce and aggressive, and even dared to rely on their
numbers and resist the soldiers. Such acts show that they have no
respect for the law, and, although they have been repeatedly
admonished by the civil and military officers, still a great number
outwardly agree to abide by the injunctions issued while inwardly
they set defiance to the law, obstinately fixed in their
decision.
Just reflect for a moment. The converts and non-Christians are alike
the subjects of our sovereign, and when differences exist between
them these should be laid before the officials for adjustment. But
for persons to suddenly congregate in numbers, use weapons, burn and
destroy houses, pillage and steal, commit murder, and resist the
authority of the officials, such acts are nothing more or less than
those that robbers or highwaymen commit.
You people must bear in mind that you all have families living. Why
should you allow yourselves to be influenced by banditti and outlaws
who excite suspicion in your minds, and you then remain obstinately
fixed in a delusion and trample on the laws that will lead to your
punishment? Now, besides having sent circular instructions to all
the local officers to stringently forbid these lawless acts, and
those found guilty to punish them, the viceroy issues this
proclamation, so that gentry and people of all classes in the
various districts may know that they must not induce people to [Page 107] secretly form societies
and practice boxing and quarterstaff, which are acts prohibited by
law. For persons to collect together in numbers, and, relying on
their strength, to rob and plunder, are acts that the law certainly
can not forgive. The local authorities are hereby instructed to
arrest and punish those who set up boxing establishments, as well as
the leading criminals who excite suspicion in the minds of the
common people and thereby create trouble. They must not on any
account be allowed to escape the arm of the law. The ignorant and
common people who have been induced to join the society and practice
boxing should all reform and mend their ways and stop this evil
practice. They should make an effort to become good, loyal subjects,
attending to their proper duties of life. Those who reform and mend
their ways will receive lenient treatment, and their past deeds
forgotten, but those who persist in their refusal to repent of their
former misdeeds and continue to follow their old course and set up
boxing establishments, and for the purpose of gain mislead the minds
of the people, these will be arrested by the civil and military
authorities and strenuously punished. Not the least leniency will be
shown them.
The non-Christians and converts are both subjects of our sovereign,
who treats them all alike with the same kindly feeling without any
distinction being made. If cases of litigation arise, these should
be decided by the proper authorities. The non-Christians should not
act with effrontery and show a feeling of hatred toward the
Christians which will lead to trouble. The Christians, on the other
hand, should not create trouble by insulting the people and heap up
accusations and arrest the attention of the missionaries so as to
urge their protection to secure victory in their disputes. The
officials must reverently abide by and observe the treaties, and
justly and equitably decide the cases that come up, according to
their merits, irrespective of Christian or non-Christian alike; must
attend to their own affairs and observe the law. They should do away
with all ill feeling and be sincere friends. This is the earnest
wish of the viceroy.
Let all tremblingly obey and none disobey this special
proclamation.
[Inclosure 6.]
Mr. Conger to
the Tsungli Yamen.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, March 2, 1900.
Your Highness and Your
Excellencies: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your highness and your excellencies’ note of the 25th of February
in answer to my notes of the 27th of January and 21st of February on
the subject of the anti-Christian disturbances in Shantung and
Chihli.
As the yamen have not acceded to my request to obtain the issue of an
imperial decree specified in my note of January 27, I beg to repeat
a portion of that dispatch with the addition of the words “in the
Pekin Gazette.”
I request that an imperial decree may be issued and published in the
Pekin Gazette ordering, by name, the complete suppression and
abolition of the Fist of Righteous Harmony and Big Sword societies,
and I request that it may be distinctly stated in the decree that to
belong to either of these societies, or to harbor any of its
members, is a criminal offense against Chinese law.
Nothing less than this will, I am convinced, put an end to the
outrages against Christians, which have lately been so prevalent in
Chihli and Shantung.
Should the Chinese Government refuse this reasonable request, I shall
be compelled to report to my Government their failure to take what
would be only an ordinary precaution against a most pernicious and
antiforeign organization. The consequence of further disorder in the
districts concerned can not fail to be most extremely serious to the
Chinese Government.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your highness and your
excellencies the assurances of my highest consideration.
[Inclosure 7.]
The Tsungli Yamen to
Mr. Conger.
Your Excellency: On the 2d of March the
prince and ministers had the honor to receive a communication from
the minister of the United States acknowledging the yamen’s
communication (of 25th February) on the subject of the
anti-Christian [Page 108]
disturbances in Shantung and Chihli. As the yamen had not acceded to
the request made (of January 27), minister of the United States
begged to repeat a portion of that dispatch, with the addition of
the words “in the Pekin Gazette.” It was pointed out that nothing
less than this would put an end to the outrages against Christians
which have lately been so prevalent in Chihli and Shantung, and
should the Chinese Government refuse this reasonable request the
consequences of further disorder in the districts concerned can not
fail to be most extremely serious, etc.
In reply the prince and ministers would beg to observe that on the
1st of March they received a copy of the draft of a proclamation
from the viceroy of Chihli, issued in accordance with an imperial
decree, stringently prohibiting the society called the “Boxers.” A
copy of this proclamation was at once sent to the minister of the
United States. The yamen had, therefore, carried out the request
made to stringently prohibit this pernicious anti-Christian
organization by memorializing the Throne on the subject, and the
imperial assent was received. The decree that was issued at the time
was sent by the grand council direct to the viceroy of Chihli and
governor of Shantung, to be duly observed by them. The decree is
known as a confidential letter sent direct from the palace to the
highest provincial officers with instructions for their guidance in
important matters, and whenever one is issued on matters of business
it is at once transmitted to the province concerned, and on its
receipt the high officers at once carry out the instructions issued.
This is a more thorough way than the mere publication of a decree
(in the Pekin Gazette). Under the law special confidential decrees
are sent to the grand secretariat to be made public. In the case in
question, as a memorial has already been presented to the Throne and
a confidential decree issued and sent from the palace to the high
provincial authorities of Chihli and Shantung, it is not suitable or
fitting to repeat the request to have the publication of the decree
appear (in the Pekin Gazette). This is the law governing the
transaction of public business in China, and it is a difficult
matter to change the system. The viceroy of Chihli and governor of
Shantung have received the decree to issue proclamations stringently
prohibiting the society, and the outlaws against the Christians will
not fail to fear and stand in dread of the awe-inspiring authority
of the Sovereign and cease from creating trouble.
Again, it appears to the prince and ministers that the reason why the
minister of the United States wishes the decree published in the
Pekin Gazette is merely to have it widely known among the people. He
surely can not know that while the Pekin Gazette is extensively read
in Pekin, still in the provinces it is only read by the official
classes. The common people do not read it.
The viceroy of Chihli and governor of Shantung have, in obedience to
the imperial decree, issued proclamations, and the injunctions
issued will be more widely known among the people than by the
publication of the decree in the Pekin Gazette. The prince and
ministers beg to ask the minister of the United States to again
carefully look into this matter, and he will see that the statement
they have made is perfectly true.
The minister of the United States residing in China can not fail to
thoroughly know the conditions of the public administration of
China, and the prince and ministers express the hope that he will be
good enough to report the matter to the honorable Secretary of
State.
