Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

No. 1099.]

Sir: Concerning the Boxer trouble in Sze-chuan, which was the subject-matter of my dispatch No. 1061, of August 2, I have the honor to inclose additional correspondence giving further particulars.

The occasion of my last note to the foreign office was the receipt by the French legation here of alarming telegrams from their missionaries at Chen-tu, which proved afterwards to have been somewhat exaggerated.

I do not think the troubles are over, but the Government seems to be alive to the situation, and doing what it reasonably can; but at so great a distance from the central government, and it not being able to rely absolutely either on the local officials or soldiery, has to manage affairs very carefully.

I have, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure 1.]

Dr. Canright to Mr. Conger.

Dear Sir: Your letter of June 25 just to hand. Allow me on behalf of my colleagues to thank you most heartily for your prompt care in this matter. As I was the first to learn of this movement and report it to the foreign office here, I will try to tell you something of its beginning.

Here the “Boxers” are called “Hung Lantern Society,” “Boxing Bandits,” and “Spirit Boxers.” I first heard of them through our evangelist at Yang Hsien, which is about 100 hundred miles southeast of here. On February 28 I went to the foreign office and notified them of this uprising in that district. At that time these societies were practicing in about forty villages in the Tsi Cheo prefecture. Much money, rice, and wine had been given by the head men of these villages to the Boxers. Their motto or cry is, “Uphold the Ch’ing, exterminate the church, kill foreigners.” Their practices are very similar to those of the north, with which you are already too familiar.

As practically nothing had been done about the matter, I was obliged to call at the foreign office again within a month and warn them more forcibly that this was an important movement which they must put down at once, or it would soon be beyond their control. Again fair promises were made, but nothing done to stop the practices and growth of the movement so far as we could learn.

[Page 177]

Next thing we heard a band of 100 or more Boxers entered Yang Hsien about dark one night and went to the yamen. It was reported that they went to demand permission to destroy our place there. The magistrate paid little attention to them. They became enraged, overturned his tables, and smashed up things about the yamen. A fight followed in which one of his soldiers was killed. Then they were about to rush to the “Fu Yin Ta’ing” to destroy it, but the natives had closed and barricaded the street gate. Eventually the official opened one of the city gates and let them escape. Next morning he sent soldiers to catch them!

Soon after this two families of our converts in the country were attacked. The people escaped, but all of their property was destroyed. Later Yang Hsien itself was attacked, but the Boxers were driven off and over a dozen killed. This first showed the people that the Boxers’ claims to having iron bodies, and that guns and knives could not kill them, were false. If this repulse had been followed by quick, summary punishment, the movement would have been checked, if not entirely stopped.

A few days later (June 18) we received a telegram in Chinese saying that our evangelist and nine others at a country station (T’ien Ku C’hoe) had been massacred. Their dwellings and chapel were burned. The heads, hands, and feet of four were cut off and carried away. This has since been confirmed, except as to numbers. Only seven were killed. Three have recovered. Most of our converts have fled from there and the surrounding villages, but several others have been severely wounded and the homes of many destroyed. Refugees from T’ien Ku Ch’ow say the Boxers expected to find Rev. W. E. Manly of our mission at T’ien Ku Ch’ow the night of the massacre, but fortunately he had left early the previous morning. Of course we immediately reported this terrible thing to the foreign office, whereupon Cheo Tao Tai, the man who put out an infamous proclamation at the time of our riot here in 1895, was sent down at the head of some soldiers, but he only scattered the Boxers instead of destroying them, as he ought to have done.

Rev. A. W. Manly has since visited the scene of the massacre with a strong escort, but was unable to do anything toward settlement while present conditions last. This week he has been obliged to leave the prefecture entirely, leaving us quite dependent upon native reports for our information from Tsi Cheo. All through that prefecture south and east of here the Boxers seem to have everything pretty much their own way now, hence rob and murder not only Christians, but all who oppose them.

On July 28, in Kin Ta’ng Hsien district, 30 miles northeast of here, the foreign office reported 10,000 Boxers. Several villages have been destroyed by them. More soldiers were sent out and many on both sides killed. Not a few villages are deserted, and still large bands of these marauders continue their work of destruction. When attacked in one place they disperse only to appear elsewhere.

At present time there is serious fighting in Han Cheo district, one day to the north of us. Soldiers said to be victorious.

The immediate cause of my telegram of July 29a was the suggestion from the foreign office that we here be prepared to flee on short notice into the imperial city (examination halls) for protection if matters grew worse. That was two weeks ago. We have since had many disquieting rumors, but nothing more serious. The officials were evidently frightened, and they scared us. Even now it is difficult to judge if they are really in earnest about putting down this business. When the officials themselves report 10,000 Boxers in one place and they have only about half that number of poor soldiers, the situation certainly does not look reassuring.

Conditions have been propitious here this year for such an uprising as this. It has been very dry until within six weeks. Only had two good rains from January to July. Thus famine stared many in the face, and it is not, at any time, an easy matter to govern people when they are hungry. When this movement sprang up it seemed to provide an outlet for a local manifestation of the general unrest which is so prevalent all over the Empire.

Ma, the magistrate at Yang Hsien, has been degraded entirely, and has been here begging us to interfere in his behalf. Of course we can not do it, although he may not be entirely at fault.

Nine foreigners who were away at the mountains for the summer have hastily returned to the city. Three foreign families have been obliged to leave their homes in smaller cities and come into the capital.

Triennial examinations are set for early in September, which, under present circumstances, makes us rather anxious. Our compound is constantly guarded by [Page 178] several tens of soldiers and runners. We are ordered to be very careful about admitting strangers to the place, and are warned not to go on the street without an official escort.

I hope this too-long letter will give you some idea of the conditions in which we are living.

H. L. Canright.
[Inclosure 2.]

Mr. Manly to Mr. Wilcox.

Dear Sir: I take the liberty of reporting to you the Boxer troubles in this province, and the attack made upon a missionary station over which I have charge.

The disaster occurred June 17 at a place called Tien Ku Chow, which is under the jurisdiction of Yang Shien and Tsi Cheo. Tien Ku Chow is situated in the country, and consists of a cluster of eight Chinese houses and the church. There were about ninety people living there, all more or less connected with the church. Of the Boxers who made the attack, some were of the vicinity and some came from a distance.

They came at midnight, and first attacked the church. They broke in the door, and the preacher living there, a fine old man, was the first killed. Next they set fire to the house near the church and burned the inmates to death—father, mother, and son.

Then they killed three others of those trying to escape, and wounded three more. After that they looted and burned all the houses excepting the church, which, not being very inflammable, was only partly destroyed. Lastly, they cut off the heads, hands, and feet of their victims.

Their next move was to go into a hill fortress some fifteen miles from Tsi-cheo, where they intrenched themselves. Soon a large number of Boxers collected, doubtlessly 500 or more. Soldiers were brought from Chentu. At first their number was entirely insufficient, but when this difficulty was overcome the great mistake was made of ordering the soldiers to disperse the Boxers, not kill them. Since then they have several times gathered together, committed some depredation, and disbanded.

The conditions have been favorable to their continuing a menace to peace and good government. The severest droughts of many years have prevailed over a large portion of this province. Rice is very dear. In a number of places hundreds of poor people have banded together as beggars. Besides this, the officials were very negligent in their management of the affair. It is thought that the viceroy himself gave orders to this effect. It is certain that the local officials in all the villages did nothing to oppose the Boxers.

Mr. Cady, of Chentu, telegraphed the news to Pekin. Minister Conger asked him to keep him well informed. I do not know that he has sent him any more information, since there was so little definitely known. The dead were buried, the wounded were sent to Chentu for treatment, and the refugees to the number of 70 went to Tsi-cheo or Chentu. Negotiations were soon begun with the foreign office at Chentu and the Cheo official at Tsi-cheo in regard to a settlement of the affair. We did not assume authority to settle the trouble, but distinctly told them that anything which they might agree to with us would be referred to the United States authorities for their decision. Without any suggestion from us, the Shien official was degraded according to treaty. The Cheo official was retained, and we on our part do not object to this, provided he finishes the business justly. He has not been honest in some of his dealings with us, but has done as well or better than the average Chinese official.

The terms of settlement which we discussed with them were as follows:

  • First. That a committee of some of the local officials and gentry assist in fixing the amount of the indemnity for property.
  • Second. That a bond be given by each of the three following parties, namely, the Cheo official, the Shien official, and the local officials of the three villages nearest Tien Ku Chow, to the effect that if such a disaster of such magnitude should again occur in connection with the Tien Ku Chow church the three parties would each forfeit to the American Methodist Episcopal Church the sum of 5,000 taels of silver, the bonds to be made secure by report to the throne, erection of a tablet at Tien Ku Chow, etc.
  • Third. That the members of the church are not to use their connection with the church to aid them in lawsuits, and, on the other hand, equal justice is to be given them as others.
  • Fourth. That if these conditions are carried out we will not ask for indemnity for lives taken.

The first three clauses were to be engraved on the proposed tablet. The first clause was carried out, though I told them that I would not consent to the estimate unless the other conditions were carried out. The amount agreed upon was 2,000 taels only, since our people were very poor. As to the second clause, it would be perfectly satisfactory to have the amount of each bond reduced to 3,000 taels. It was understood that a loss greater or less than this one was to be reckoned accordingly.

I was going on to press for this settlement, subject to your decision, when greater troubles near Chentu made it impossible to do anything more at the time. The fresh disturbances made it necessary to call in the Christians of the neighboring villages to Tsi-cheo for safety. After doing what I could for their protection I returned to Chung-king.

I should be glad to know what you think of the plan of settlement outlined. Expect to start for Tsi-cheo about September 2 unless the indications are that it would be unsafe. There is a telegraph station at Tsi-cheo. Should be glad to have any instructions or communications from you.

Will you kindly send the inclosed copy of this letter to Minister Conger, inasmuch as he desired to be kept informed of these affairs.

I remain, etc.,

W. E. Manly.
[Inclosure 3.—Telegram.]

Dr. Canright to Mr. Conger.

Situation still serious. Urge new viceroy hasten.

Canright.
[Inclosure 4.]

Mr. Conger to Prince Chi’ng.

Your Highness: A recent telegram from Chentu indicates that the state of affairs there is still serious.

I must therefore urge the Chinese Government to take prompt measures to restore order in the disturbed district.

I embrace, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure 5.]

Mr. Conger to Prince Chi’ng.

Your Highness: I regret to again be compelled to call the attention of your highness to the very serious troubles in the province of Szechuen; but recent telegraphic information from Chentu reports increasing disturbance and danger there, instead of a suppression thereof.

The movement seems to be a veritable repetition of the Boxer uprising of 1900; the action of local officials the same; the efforts of the Government no more successful; and the ultimate result must be the same.

The experience of 1900 proves that the terrible massacre of that year might have been prevented by prompt, energetic, and repressive action by the Government. I believe the same might be accomplished in this case.

All Europe and America are watching the progress of this revival of “Boxerism” [Page 180] in Szechuan; and China can ill afford to let the impression go forth that she either can not or will not immediately suppress it.

There are several Americans in the disturbed province, and it is my duty to again demand that such prompt and effective measures be taken as will insure their safety and protection.

I improve the opportunity, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure 6.]

Foreign office to Mr. Conger.

F. O., No. 415.]

We have the honor to make the following reply:

A few days ago we received your note saying that the disturbance in Szechuan was daily increasing and that some steps should be taken to suppress it and give protection, etc.

Our board at once sent a telegram to the viceroy of Szechuen, and has now received a reply from the said viceroy saying that on the 14th (instant) the rioters recklessly entered the provincial capital to the number of twenty odd, of whom 14 were at once seized and beheaded; the next day, outside the north gate near the church, several more of the fleeing rioters were seized; that now the cities of Tzu-chou, Tzu-yang, and An-yo, all nests of the rebels, have already been captured; that eastward as far as Chien-chou and in that vicinity the balance of the rebels have also been seized after repeated efforts, but that in T’ai-ho Chen of the T’ung-ch-uan prefecture the rebels had gathered together to the number of several hundred, and that when the soldiers would come that way they would go into hiding; but, when the soldiers would take their departure, they would reassemble, and then there would suddenly occur a robbery of travelers; that there was no truth in the report that there were more than 30,000 rebels, that the provincial capital was surrounded, and that the missions in and out of the city were in distress; that at present the examinations were being conducted and that they were being completed in perfect peace, which was clear evidence of the real situation; that the people of Szechuen were easily excited, and too many false rumors were afloat; that within a month several camps of soldiers would be added and an organization of militia effected, which could be employed for purposes of protection; that the acting viceroy, Ts’en, had already reached Mien-chou and before many days would be in the capital, etc.

As in duty bound we send the substance of this telegram in reply to your excellency.

We avail, etc.

Cards inclosed.

Cards of Wang Wen-shao, Na-t’ung, Ch’u Hung-chi, and Lien-fang.

  1. Printed, page 172.