Mr. Rockhill to Mr.
Hay.
No. 115.]
Commissioner of
the United States to China,
Peking,
China, June 12,
1901.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your
information a translation of the note addressed by the dean of the
diplomatic corps to the Chinese plenipotentiaries concerning the carrying
out of Article IV of the Joint Note which provides for the erection of
expiatory
[Page 231]
monuments in the foreign
cemeteries in China which were desecrated last year; also of the reply of
Chou Fu, treasurer of the province of Chih-li, stating the steps which it is
proposed to take to settle the matter.
Exclusive of the cemeteries desecrated at Pekin, mentioned in the latter
note, there is, I understand, one at Hsüan-hua Fu, in this province. This
will be stated in the reply to the latter note by the Dean, and the matter
will be promptly settled.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]
M. de Cologan to
the Chinese plenipotentiaries.
Your Highness and Your Excellency: I have the
honor to notify your highness and your excellency of the following
resolution unanimously adopted by the representatives of the powers
concerning the carrying out of Article IV of the Joint Note accepted by
His Majesty the Emperor of China:
“A sum of 10,000 taels should be paid by the Chinese Government for each
one of the cemeteries situated in the capital and which have been
desecrated, and 5,000 taels for each one of those which may be in the
same case and situated in the provinces. These sums shall be paid
without prejudice to those which shall furthermore be claimed for
material losses resulting from the profanation of the cemeteries.”
It is understood, on the other hand, that the legations interested would
transmit to you directly the list of cemeteries in which they have, for
their part, to see to the erection of expiatory monuments, and it is to
these legations that your highness and your excellency will have to pay
the sums mentioned in the resolution I transmit to you.
I avail myself, etc.
[Inclosure 2.]
Memorandum by Chou Fu on the money to be paid by the
Chinese Government for the erection of expiatory monuments in the
cemeteries desecrated—Sent to M. de Cologan, dean of the Diplomatic
body.
I have received a communication from the Chinese plenipotentiaries
stating that they had received a dispatch from your excellency to the
effect that a resolution had been adopted by the representatives of the
powers concerning the carrying out of Article IV of the Joint Note as
follows:
“A sum of 10,000 taels should be paid by the Chinese Government for each
one of the cemeteries situated in the capital and which have been
desecrated, and 5,000 taels for each one of those which may be in the
same case and situated in the provinces. These sums shall be paid
without prejudice to those which shall furthermore be claimed for
material losses resulting from the profanation of the cemeteries. It is
understood, on the other hand, that the legations interested would
transmit to you directly the list of the cemeteries in which they have
for their part to see to the execution of expiatory monuments, and it is
to these legations that your highness and your excellency will have to
pay the sums mentioned in the resolution I transmit to you.”
It appears that of the cemeteries which were desecrated in the capital
there are five of the French outside of the Fou Cheng gate at Teng Kung,
Cha-la and Cheng Fu Ssu, and the sum to be paid is 50,000 taels. There
is a cemetery of the British outside of the western wicket gate, and the
sum to be paid is 10,000 taels. Further, 10,000 taels is to be paid for
the desecration of the Russian cemetery outside of the An Ting gate.
Some time ago I had an interview with Sir Ernest Satow, the British
minister, and M. Pichon, the French minister, and it was ascertained by
me that the money to erect expiatory monuments in the British and French
cemeteries should be sent to the British and French legations. These
amounts are not included in the
[Page 232]
indemnity. I do not know as yet what cemeteries were desecrated at
Tung Chou, Tientsin, and in the provinces. I am charged with arranging
missionary cases, and these are nearly settled. I propose to request the
Chinese plenipotentiaries, Prince Ching and Li Hung-chang, to
memorialize the Throne, asking that the money be appropriated for the
erection of expiatory monuments in the cemeteries in the capital, and
thus settle these cases. I do not know when the list (referred to above)
from the representatives of the powers will be sent or whether the
matter will be left to me to investigate and request an appropriation to
meet the claims.
I ask that your excellency will confer with your colleagues in this
business and favor me with a reply. I ask, furthermore, that the amounts
necessary for repairs to the cemeteries shall be included in the amount
for indemnity.
