Foreign Relations of the United States, 1901, Appendix, Affairs in China, Report of William W. Rockhill, Late Commissioner to China, with Accompanying Documents
Mr. Rockhill to Mr. Hay.
Peking, China, June 22, 1901.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith for your information copy of the proceedings of an international committee assembled at Shanhaikwan on the 3d instant, by order of His Excellency Field Marshal Count von Waldersee, to consider the definite allotment of land, forts, and buildings at that place to the allied troops that will form the semi-permanent garrison of the town.
I am, etc.,
China Field Force,
June 10, 1901. (Received June 12, 1901.)
To the general officer commanding French expeditionary corps, general officer commanding Imperial German troops, general officer commanding Imperial Japanese troops, officer commanding Italian troops, officer commanding Austrian troops, officer commanding Russian troops.
Sir: I have the honor to forward for your excellency’s information the inclosed copy of the proceedings of an international committee assembled at Shanhaikwan on the 3d instant by order of His Excellency Field Marshal Count von Waldersee to consider the definite allotment of land, forts, and buildings at that place to the allied troops that will form the semipermanent garrison of the town.
2. I presume that your excellency concurs in the recommendations of the committee, which seem to me most logical and sensible, and I suggest that early orders be given for carrying them into effect, with a view to the early reduction of the forces at Shanhaikwan to the strengths agreed upon for the transition period.
I have, etc.,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding British Contingent, China Meld Force.
Proceedings of a committee assembled at Shanhaikwan by order of Field Marshal Count von Waldersee, dated June 3, 1901.
The following were present: Germany, Colonel von Bosse; Austria, Lieutenant Derneter; France, Colonel Pares; Great Britain, Maj. Gen. A. J. F. Reid, C. B.; Italy, Captain Dentice; Japan, Colonel Watanabe; Russia, Colonel Glinsky.
Major-General Reid as senior officer present presides.
The attached note, marked “A,” is laid before the committee, who proceeded to consider the points therein detailed.
(1) Forts.—It was agreed that the forts should be redistributed as under, the parade grounds going with the forts: Fort 1, Great Baitain; Fort 2, Germany (small guard), Austria, and Italy; Fort 3, France; Fort 4, Japan; Fort 5, Russia.
The representatives of France and Russia opposed this. General Pares objects on the grounds that the instructions of General Voyron do not permit him to change any orders made by the admirals. Colonel Glinsky refuses to vote, as he considers that the instructions he has received from Count von Waldersee in his letter do not refer to the redivision of the forts.
(2) Buildings.—The nationalities named below wished to reserve the buildings entered against their names.
Germany: The two yamen near the beach and the ground adjoining them, between the two roads to the north, to a depth of 430 yards; the present horse run and flags to the south being removed.
Austria: Nil.
France: All the buildings they now occupy, and a house near the railway station.
Great Britain. The headquarters yamen and any buildings near the railway station required for the protection of the railway.
Italy: Thep ortion of the village to the east of the road near Fort 2 now occupied by the Japanese, and one house they now occupy near the railway station.
Japan: The buildings they now use for their commissariat near the south gate of the city, the village near the searchlight on the great wall, and the west portion of the village Italy now proposes to occupy.
Russia: The joss house near the beach below Fort 1 and the camp now occupied by their artillery.
The above proposals were accepted unanimously.
(3) Lands.—It was agreed that no nationality is to construct any buildings at a distance of more than 200 yards from the wall of any fort of yamen occupied by them. When the buildings of any two nationalities are less than 400 yards apart, then the dividing line will lie halfway between the two buildings. In the case of No. 1 fort, the building rights go with the fort and not with the Russian yamen. Colonels Glinsky and Pares dissent with the last point only for the reasons given in clause 1.
(4) Allotment—Three piers have already been built by each and foreshore—the Russians, Germans, and British, respectively. It was agreed that any nation may land stores on the beach whenever it pleases, but that for stocking goods, while the military [Page 250] occupation lasts, the land to the distance of 100 yards from the shore be allotted on the following frontage:
Russia: One hundred yards to the east of the Russian pier to 50 yards to the west of the same.
Austria: A frontage of 50 yards from the west of the Russian portion.
France: A frontage of 85 yards from the west of the Austrian limit.
Germany: From the west of the French limit to the west of the German pier.
Japan: From the west of the German pier to 25 yards east of halfway to the British pier.
Italy: From the west of the Japanese limit, with a frontage of 50 yards.
Great Britain: From the west of the Italian limit to 50 yards to the west of the British pier.
The limits to be shown by landmarks and not flags. No buildings except guardrooms, small store, and bathing sheds may be erected. With the foregoing exceptions, no other buildings are to be constructed on the sea front south of an imaginary line joining the front of the three yamens.
(5) Miscellaneous.—It was unanimously agreed that all flags be removed, except on the forts and buildings occupied by troops, railway buildings and stations, piers and the beach, for the purpose of aiding navigation.
That rifle ranges may only be constructed to the east of the Great Wall and the west of the main creek near Fort Count von Waldersee, firing toward the sea in both cases, or to the north of the city, firing toward the hills. No rifle range may be taken into use until approved by the senior officer of the troops.
The repair of roads according to the attached map marked B is unanimously agreed to.
The guards over the city gates to remain until there is a properly constructed government.
(6) It was agreed that the above clauses are to come into effect from the date of receiving the sanction of His Excellency Count von Waldersee and the concurrence of General Voyron.
- Germany: Colonel von Bosse.
- Austria: Lieutenant Demeter.
- France: Colonel Pares.
- Great Britain: A. J. F. Reid, Major-General, President.
- Italy: Captain Dentice.
- Japan: Colonel Watansbe.
- Russia: Colonel Glinsky.
(A.)
[Note for committee.]
- 1.
- The semipermanent garrison—that is to say, the garrison of the allied troops that will remain at Shanhaikwan and Chingwangtao until such times as the allied powers agree to its withdrawal—will be about 1,500 men, Germany, France, Great Britain, Japan, and Russia each giving about 300 men. Italy will also leave a small guard (150 men) and Austria 30 men.
- 2.
- The committee is to consider—
- (a)
- What forts, buildings, and lands at Shanhaikwan are required and should be retained for the above garrisons.
- (b)
- How the foreshore and beach at Shanhaikwan should be allotted.
- (c)
- Any other point which may be brought up by any member of the committee.
- 5.
- It has been decided by Field Marshal Count von Waldersee, with the concurrence of the general in chief command of the French troops, that senior officer present at this committee should act as president; that all questions should be decided by a majority of votes, and that all decisions thus arrived at be considered as binding and final.