Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

No. 845.]

Sir: I have honor to inclose herewith copies of correspondence with Hear-Admiral George C. Remey, commanding United States naval force on Asiatic Station, and with the United States consuls, relative to a suggestion of Admiral Remey that the heads of the various American mission stations in China be asked to furnish him certain information as to the navigable ports nearest to the mission stations and the routes that should be taken by a relieving force to reach the members of the missions.

Deeming the suggestion a wise and timely one, I have instructed our consuls to assist the Admiral in securing the information he desires.

I have, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure 1.]

Rear-Admiral Remey to Mr. Conger.

Sir: On the recent occasion of a tour of the United States vice-consul at Canton through the districts around Swatow, China, Ensign E. Woods, U. S. Navy, of the U. S. S. Monterey, who accompanied the vice-consul, obtained much information and procured a number of maps of the country, all of this being of interest to the Navy Department, and possibly of valuable use. A great deal of Ensign Woods’s report was made up from data furnished by missionaries in the country, some of whom had made the surveys from which these excellent maps were constructed.

2. This experience has led to the suggestion that missionaries in other parts of China may be in possession of much information that would be of use to the commander in chief of the navy force on this station, and also to the Navy Department. It was also the experience of the commander in chief during the Japanese-Chinese war that, in going to different ports to bring off missionaries and families who were threatened by local disturbances, the commanding officers of vessels were frequently embarrassed for lack of information as to the navigable ports nearest to the mission stations, and particularly as to the routes that should be taken by a relieving force to reach the members of the missions or meet them en route. It is therefore requested, if you concur in the expediency of the plan and see no objections to it, that the heads of outlying mission stations of our nationality be asked to send to this office such data as they have personal knowledge of, under the following general heads:

(a)
A map, on as large a scale as possible, showing the location of the mission. A map is considered necessary on account of the lack of good standard maps, and particularly on account of the confused spelling of the Chinese names.
(b)
Indicate on the map the nearest sea or river port to which a vessel should be sent in case it became necessary to relieve the mission; and trace the route one would probably take to reach this port, stating whether the route, or any part of it, would be practicable for field artillery.
(c)
In the case of a river port, or any port that is not actually on the seacoast, and well known, it will be absolutely necessary to indicate the minimum depth of water at various seasons of the year between the sea and the port indicated.
(d)
Local maps showing rivers and creeks that are navigable by ships and boats (giving depth of water when possible), the positions of walled towns and fortifications, and the nature of defenses on each, etc., will always be of great interest, and in time of trouble would be of the utmost importance to a relieving force. There should be no hesitancy in answering questions because of a lack of knowledge of the proper military and technical terms, or because perfectly reliable and complete information can not be given. Apparently insignificant items may sometimes be of great value. The sources of all information should, however, be always carefully and conscientiously stated, so that the commander of a relieving force may know what reliance to place on them.

Yours, respectfully,

Geo. C. Remey,
Rear-Admiral U. S. Navy, Commander in Chief.
[Inclosure 2.]

Mr. Conger to Rear-Admiral Remey.

Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 20th ultimo suggesting that the heads of the various American missions be asked to furnish certain information desired by you regarding the navigable ports nearest to the mission stations and the routes that should be taken by a relieving force to reach the members of the missions or to meet them en route.

Fully approving of the suggestion, I have addressed the United States consuls in China instructing them to transmit the substance of your dispatch to the heads of the various American missions in their consular districts.

I am, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure 3.]

Mr. Conger to United States Consuls in China.

Sir: I inclose to you herewith a copy of a dispatch from Rear-Admiral George C. Remey, commander in chief, United States naval force on Asiatic Station, suggesting that the heads of American mission stations in China be asked to furnish certain information desired by our naval authorities; and printed memoranda specifying in detail the information desired.

You will transmit to the heads of the various American missions within your consular district the sense of Admiral Remey’s dispatch and copies of the inclosed memorandum,a requesting that the most careful attention be given this matter and that the information desired in as accurate and full detail as possible be sent to him.

I am, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
  1. Extracts from Admiral Remey’s dispatch, printed, ante.