Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1902
Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.
Peking, January 22, 1902.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copies of correspondence with Consul Wilcox, of Hankow, and with the foreign office regarding the action of the taot’ai of Kiukiang in demanding the recall of Chinese Christians engaged as evangelists in the interior.
In view of the plain provisions of the treaty of 1858, the attitude of the provincial bureau of foreign affairs and the taot’ai is a somewhat remarkable one. The foreign office evidently recognizes it as a violation of treaty rights. The proposed census of native pastors and converts is obnoxious as emphasizing the distinction between Christians and non-Christians, and might easily be used for purposes of annoyance and persecution. Trusting that my action in this matter will meet with your approval,
I have, etc.,
Mr. Wilcox to Mr. Conger.
Hankow, China, December 19, 1901.
Sir: I have the honor to herewith inclose a copy of a dispatch received from the Kiukiang taot’ai. I send it in the original text, thinking Mr. Williams can give a more correct translation than I am able to send you.
I should like your advice before replying to the taot’ai. He is the same official who insists on our missionaries paying tonnage dues on their chartered junks and house boats, while carrying supplies for their misssions.
I have, etc.,
Taot’ai Ming to Mr. Wilcox.
Ming, by imperial appointment an official of the second rank, decorated with the peacock’s plume, taot’ai of the Kuang-Jao-Chiu-Nan circuit, etc., sends this dispatch:
On the 21st of the tenth moon of the twenty-seventh year of Kuanghsu, I received the following dispatch from the provincial office:
“The establishment of churches and the propagation of the (Christian) religion is an affair of the foreign missionaries. If Chinese, persons practice the religion of the Roman Catholics or the Protestants, they ought to join with the missionaries in worship, but they ought not because they depend upon the church, in their turn preach the religion to the violation of the provisions of the treaties. But recently those Chinese who have become followers of the church have been continually renting houses, establishing chapels, and propagating the religion in every department and district, gathering crowds of disciples and stirring up trouble at their pleasure, and it is difficult to guarantee that disorder will not arise therefrom. We ought, of course, in accordance with the regulations (of the treaties) to prohibit this. Certainly none but missionaries may establish churches, and, although they may appoint Chinese to live in the chapels and take care of them, this is quite different from propagating the religion. However, in their case also, there should be investigation in order that protection may be afforded as needed.
“As in duty bound, we have communicated with you and submit this to your consideration, hoping that you will send dispatches to the various consuls of the powers requesting them to instruct the missionaries to carefully note what Chinese are out [Page 203] preaching the religion, and that they must recall them all; that it is not permitted them (the Chinese) to overstep the limits prescribed by propagating the religion in violation of the treaties. Should there be any falsely representing themselves as evangelists, the local officials should arrest them and punish them.
“As to the Chinese Christians appointed to take care of the various mission chapels, they (the missionaries) should be requested to prepare a list of the localities, chapels, and the names of the care takers, giving the birthplace of the latter, and send the same to our office, so as to provide evidence upon which we may instruct the various local officials to exert themselves to give due protection, and avoid any neglect or mistake. We trust you will favor us with a reply, etc.”
Having received the above, I sent dispatches to the other consuls, and now, as in duty bound, address this communication to you, requesting you to give yourself the trouble to examine it, and hoping that you will instruct the missionaries inland to carefully note how many Chinese are now preaching the religion, at what places they are, and have them all recalled in accordance with the treaties; and, as to the Chinese Christians employed as care takers at the various chapels, request them to prepare a list of the names of the places, the chapels, and the men so employed, with the birthplace of the latter, and send the same to me as evidence which I may transmit to the foreign office, so as to enable them to direct the various local officials to give such protection as the occasion may demand.
Trusting that you will favor me with a reply, I have, etc.
Mr. Conger to the Foreign office.
Peking, January 9, 1902.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a dispatch dated December 9, 1901, from the taot’ai of the Kuang-Tao-Chiu-Nan circuit of Kiangsi to the United States consul at Hankow, in which the said taot’ai, quoting a communication from the bureau or foreign affairs of Kiangsi, requests the United States consul to instruct the American missionaries in Kiangsi to recall all Chinese who may be out preaching the Christian faith, which it is held is a violation of the treaties with foreign powers. He further asks that the missionaries be required to prepare a list of their mission stations, chapels, and helpers, stating the family and nativity of the latter, in order that due protection may be given, etc.
I have the honor to point out to your highness and your excellencies that this action of the provincial bureau of foreign affairs and of the taot’ai mentioned is in direct violation of the treaty of 1858 between China and the United States. So far from forbidding the Chinese Christians to propagate their faith, the treaty expressly provides that they shall not be hindered in doing so. Article XXIX of the said treaty contains the following paragraph:
“Hereafter those who quietly profess and teach these doctrines shall not be harassed or persecuted on account of their faith. Any person, whether citizen of the United States or Chinese convert, who according to these tenets peaceably teaches and practices the principles of Christianity shall in no case be interfered with or molested.”
I confess that I am very much surprised to read such a dispatch as that of theKiu-kiang taot’ai, after the very friendly sentiments expressed by the Chinese Government toward foreigners in general and toward missionaries and their work, and especially at this time, when such amiable relations are being renewed, as we trust, between our Governments. I can not believe that your highness and your excellencies will indorse this action of the provincial bureau of foreign affairs of Kiangsi, and I have to request that you will at once direct the said bureau and the taot’ai at Kiukiang to observe the provisions of the treaty and refrain from interfering with the Chinese evangelists in the work of propagating their religion.
As for the proposed census of Chinese helpers, it is altogether unnecessary. Chinese Christians deserve the same protection as other Chinese subjects, and no more is asked for them. There is reason to believe, too, that such enrollment as is suggested would be viewed with suspicion by the said helpers, and that it might be employed hereafter, perhaps, by unscrupulous persons for the purpose of injuring them.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew, etc.,
Mr. Conger to Mr. Wilcox.
Peking, January 9, 1902.
Sir: I have received your No. 97 of December 19, inclosing a copy of the Chinese text of a letter to you from the taot’ai of Kiukiang.
I have had the letter translated, and find it a most outrageous document, a copy of which I shall send to the Wai Wu Pu. In the meantime you should reply to him in substance that there is no law or regulation prohibiting Chinese converts from promulgating their religion, but on the contrary the treaties, in so many words, permit and authorize them to do so; therefore you can not comply with his request, etc.
Please accompany every Chinese document with a translation, even if it may not be the best.
I am, etc.,
Foreign office to Mr. Conger.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the 1st of the twelfth moon of the twenty-seventh year of Kuangsu, of your excellency’s dispatch, saying that you had recently received a copy of a dispatch from the customs taot’ai at Kiukiang to the United States consul at Hankow, in which he requested the consul to direct the missionaries to recall all Chinese who might be propagating Christianity, and said that the propagation of Christianity by the Chinese is not in accordance with the treaties, and in which he also asked that a list might be prepared and sent to him of the stations of the missions, their chapels, and the names and birthplaces of the helpers in charge, as evidence in accordance with which they might be protected, etc. Your excellency said that you had examined the treaties and found therein these words:
“Hereafter those who quietly profess and teach these doctrines shall not be harassed or persecuted on account of their faith. Any person, whether citizen of the United States or convert, who, according to these tenets, peaceably teaches and practices the principles of Christianity shall in no case be interfered with or molested.”
The dispatch written by the said taot’ai, your excellency says, causes you much astonishment, and you express the hope that I will direct the provincial bureau of foreign affairs and the customs taot’ai at Kiukiang to carefully observe the treaties and not interfere with the Chinese evangelists in the discharge of their duties. Your excellency observes that as to the Chinese Christians they deserve the same protection as other Chinese subjects, and that if a census should be taken of the Chinese helpers in charge of the chapels, it may awaken suspicion and anxiety, etc.
The ministers of the board and myself have, in accordance with the terms of your excellency’s dispatch; communicated with the superintendent of trade for the south, directing him to order the customs taot’ai at Kiukiang and the officers of the provincial bureau of foreign affairs to proceed in accordance with the treaties.
As in duty bound, I send this reply for your excellency’s information.