Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, January 9,
1902.
No. 878.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose translations
of four recent imperial edicts, which were published in local Chinese
papers, and which deal with an anti-Christian outrage perpetrated a few
days ago in the province of Kansu. Details have not yet come to hand.
The only news so far received has come by telegraph to the Chinese
officials. At first it was reported that one foreigner only had been
killed, but in the last edict it is admitted that one other has
succumbed to his wounds. The native Christians murdered are said to be
but four. As the whole village was plundered, however, and then set on
fire, the suffering has no doubt been much greater than would appear
from the brief reports given. The village in which the disturbance
occurred is known as Hsia-ying-tzu, and is situated in the district of
Ping-lo, in the prefecture of Ning-hsia, not far from the border of the
province of Shensi. The criminals are believed to be mounted bandits, of
whom, we are told, several have already been captured.
Inasmuch as the late “Boxer” leaders, Prince Tuan and Tung Fu-hsiang are
still loitering in the city of Ning-hsia, the outrage is ascribed by
high officials in Peking to their incentive. This report is confirmed by
information given me last evening, and coming from a credible source,
according to which a memorial from the Yangtze viceroys dealing with the
subject was discussed at an imperial audience held yesterday. The
memorial, it is reported, holds Gen. Tung Fu-hsiang responsible for the
massacre, and petitions for his punishment. It is understood, too, that
as a result of yesterday’s deliberations an edict will be issued
commanding the viceroy of Kansu and Shensi to seize Gen. Tung Fu-hsiang
and put him to death. Whether the viceroy is strong enough to execute
such an edict remains to be seen. General Tung is in the midst of his
friends and coreligionists (Mohammedans), who have shown themselves in
the past easily excited to rebellion.
The murdered missionaries are believed to be Belgians, as there is a
Belgian Roman Catholic mission in the district, but as the Chinese names
only have been telegraphed it is impossible to identify them. We shall
have to await the slow arrival of the native post for any reliable
account of the affair. Meanwhile it is gratifying to note that the
Government is apparently alive to its responsibility, and is showing
[Page 160]
most commendable zeal in its
efforts to punish the offenders and make due compensation for losses and
injuries sustained.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
From the Peking Daily News of December 30,
1901.
On the 17th instant (December 27) the grand secretariat received the
following imperial edict:
“I–k’uang, Prince of Ch’ing, and Wang-wen shao have telegraphed a
memorial, saying that Sung-fan had telegraphed them to the effect
that a number of bandits had made a sudden attack upon the village
of Hsia-ying-tzu, in the district of Ping-lo, had set fire to the
village, robbed the villagers, and plundered the mission, injuring
the missionary, Mr. Mei, and several native Christians; that he had
already sent troops to give protection, and had telegraphed the
governor of Shansi to watch the several roads and stop and seize
(the bandits), etc.
“The court looks upon the missions and missionaries of the various
provinces with equal kindness, and has repeatedly issued strict
commands ordering the magistrates to earnestly exert themselves to
give protection and declaring that not the slightest carelessness
would be tolerated. It thus appears that the district magistrate of
the place in question has not exerted himself to obey, and the
result is this murder of a missionary and of native Christians,
which is truly most lamentable. Let Sung-fan first of all impeach
the careless commander of the defence camp and the district
magistrate according to the facts, and further consult with Tsen
Ch’un-hsuan, and quickly issue orders for troops to be sent out and
rewards offered for the arrest of the criminals within a stated
time, and let them make it their duty to seize and punish them, that
none may be allowed to escape, so that the majesty of the law may be
asserted and international obligations observed.”
Respect this.
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
From the Peking Gazette of January 1,
1902.
In the matter of the burning of the village of Hsia-ying-tzu, in the
district of Ping-lo, in Kansu, by bandits and the plundering of the
villagers and the murder of a missionary. We already, on yesterday,
issued an edict, strictly commanding Sung-fan to consult with Tsen
Ch’un-hsuan and to promptly seize and deal with the criminals, and
further ordering him first of all to severely impeach the commander
of the local camp and the district magistrate. Sung-fan now reports
that he has carefully inquired into the neglect of the several
officials to afford protection and requests an edict condemning them
to punishment.
Let the retiring district magistrate of Ping-lo, Wang Shu-hai and the
magistrate who has just taken charge, Li Han-ching, together with
the colonel commanding the camp at P’ing-lo, Yang Ch’ing-an, all
alike be deprived of their rank, and let them be required within a
specified time to seize the whole lot of bandits in the case, and,
if they seize them, to punish them with the extreme penalty of the
law. If by the expiration of the time they shall not have seized
them, let the officials be forever forbidden to hold office. Let the
aforesaid viceroy (Sung) command all the civil and military
officials in his jurisdiction to conscientiously endeavor to seize
the criminals that the matter may be speedily ended, and let them
give extra care to protect the missions, missionaries, and native
Christians in their districts. Any carelessness will surely bring
the severest punishment.
[Inclosure
3.—Translation.]
From the Peking Daily News of January 2,
1902.
On the 20th of the eleventh moon (December 30, 1901) the following
imperial edict was received:
“In the matter of the murder of a missionary and several native
Christians at a village in the district of Ping-lo, in Kansu, we
have already issued edicts depriving
[Page 161]
the local officials of their rank, and fixing
a period within which they shall earnestly endeavor to arrest the
bandits and to punish them when seized. We have now received a
memorial from Sung-fan stating that the missionary, Mei, and several
native Christians, four persons in all, have died from the effects
of their wounds, and that he has, in addition to others, appointed a
Tao-tai, Chang Yen-chi, to assist in the search, to superintend the
pursuit of the murderers, and give safe protection, etc. The local,
civil, and military officials are all charged with the
responsibility of protecting the chapels and missionaries, but this
sort of protection is wanting in earnestness, and as a result the
missionaries and others have lost their lives, which is most deeply
regretted by the court. Let Sung-fan at once take steps to make
compensation, and further let him hasten to seize the murderers and
put them to death. Let the said local officials, Wang She-huai, Li
Han-ching, and Yang Ch’ing-an, who have already been deprived of
their rank by edict, if they do not seize the criminals, be at once
forbidden forever to hold office again, in accordance with the terms
of the treaty.”
Respect this.
[Inclosure
4.—Translation.]
From the Chihli Gazette of January 3,
1902.
On the 23d instant (January 2, 1902) the grand secretariat received
the following imperial edict:
“We have already issued several edicts with reference to the
missionary case in P’ing-lo Hsien, strictly commanding prompt action
in the matter. Now we learn from the report of Sung-fan that the
missionary, P’eng, has also lost his life through the injuries
received, and that four of the bandits have already been arrested,
etc. Let Sung-fan still proceed, as directed in former edicts, and
let him make satisfactory compensation to the missionaries. As for
the bandits who have been seized, let them be tried properly and at
once put to death. As for the rest of the bandits, let strenuous
efforts be made to pursue and take them, and, when taken, let them
be punished.”
Respect this.
