Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, September 2,
1902.
No. 1079.]
Sir: On the 15th ultimo two British
missionaries, J. R. Bruce and R. H. Lewis, were massacred at Ch’en-chow,
in the province of Hunan.
The facts as at present reported are that during the recent scourge of
cholera in that vicinity a great many deaths were occurring, and [Page 175] some one started the story
that the foreigners were giving out poisonous medicine which was the
cause of these deaths. Many of the ignorant and superstitious Chinese
believed this story, a mob was raised, and the burning of a chapel and
the murder of two missionaries was the result.
The British minister immediately took up the matter and has sent a
consular officer from Hankow to investigate.
An Imperial edict concerning the affair was promptly issued, copy of
which I inclose, and the Chinese Government says everything possible is
being done to prevent the trouble from spreading.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Imperial edict.
We have this day had the honor to receive the following imperial
decree:
“Yu Lien-san’s memorial is to the effect that the Wu-Ling-hsien
magistrate reported that on the 12th day of the seventh moon (August
15, 1902), owing to the great prevalence of cholera, rumors were set
afloat resulting in certain outlaws destroying a chapel; they also
killed two missionaries, Pu Shao-tsu, J. R. Bruce, and Lo
Kuo-ch’uan, R. H. Lewis, which facts had not yet been reported by
the prefect and magistrate of the district. The distance between
Ch’en-chow and the provincial city is over 800 li. The governor sent
with great speed orders to the Ch’en-yuan taotai to proceed in
person to make investigation and deal with the case.
“The governor also sent provincial troops to proceed posthaste and
capture the criminals.
“With regard to the chapels and the missionaries throughout the
provinces, the Throne has repeatedly issued edicts commanding that
they be properly (adequately) protected, and yet there are still
wicked fellows who recklessly start rumors inflaming stupid people,
with the result that serious crimes are committed, which most
certainly must be severely punished as a warning to any who might
transgress in the same way.
“We command Yu Lien-san to send at once another high official to make
joint investigation and trial, and by all means to get hold of the
chief criminal and to punish him with the utmost rigor of the law
according to his deserts.
“They must also protect the churches and the Christians, and not be
in the least remiss in their duty.
“As to the British missionaries, Pu Shao-tsu and Lo Kuo-ch’uan,
Messrs. Bruce and Lewis, who were killed, entirely innocent of the
charge laid against them, we have great pity for them and command
that proper relief be given.
“If the prefect and magistrate are found not to have exerted
themselves to afford protection, we command that they be at once
impeached. No leniency will be shown them by the Throne.”
Respect this.
