Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
Peking, China, October 30, 1900.
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of the 28th. To make the Chinese Government indemnify native Christians for wrongs to their persons and property by the “Boxer” movement, the responsibility for which the Imperial Government practically acknowledges, would be a most humane act, and would give to missionary work great prestige for the future; but it would open up an almost limitless field of investigation, and I am of the opinion that if the missionary societies are adequately indemnified for their mission as well as their personal property, and commensurate punishment exacted for guilty or negligent officials, that it will be going far enough.
The missionaries can themselves settle many of the losses of their native Christians with the villagers where the losses have occurred. In fact, in some places the headmen of some localities have already proposed to rebuild the chapels and missionary residences destroyed.
After much discussion the ministers have all agreed that indemnity should be demanded for the losses of all Chinese who were during the recent trouble in the employ of foreigners.
I have, etc.,