Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, February 5,
1902.
No. 906.]Sir: I have the honor to report that on
Tuesday, January 28 last, Their Majesties received the diplomatic body
in audience in the Chien Ching throne hall.
The audience was conducted throughout with more formality and dignity and
with a greater outward show of respect for the foreign representatives
than heretofore. The event was especially noteworthy as being the first
occasion on which the Empress Dowager has openly appeared in an audience
to the ministers of the foreign powers.
The Emperor was seated upon a raised platform near the entrance to the
hall. The Empress Dowager occupied the throne itself immediately behind
him. When the dean had read his address and the Emperor made his reply,
the ministers were conducted up the steps to the throne and in turn
presented to Her Majesty. After they had retired, the chargés d’affaires
were in like manner introduced.
I inclose herewith copies of the address of Baron Czikann, dean of the
diplomatic corps, and the replies of the Emperor and the Empress
Dowager, and also précis of the ceremonial observed on the occasion.
On Saturday, the 1st instant, the Empress Dowager accorded a reception to
the ladies of the diplomatic corps in the Yang Hsin Tien. Mrs. Conger,
as doyenne, made the address on behalf of the visitors, to which Her
Majesty cordially responded. The Emperor and Empress and numerous
princesses of the court were present. The Empress Dowager asked
particularly to have presented to her the ladies who were in Pekin
during the siege. Besides Mrs. Conger these were Mrs. Bainbridge, of
this legation, and Madame Saussine, of the French legation. Her Majesty
snowed deep feeling in greeting these ladies, and wept as she spoke to
them. She moved freely among her guests, speaking to them with
earnestness and great cordiality, and giving assurances of future
pleasant relations. The entire function was characterized by a
heartiness and respect unusual heretofore in Chinese intercourse with
foreigners, which, if sincere, are indeed significant. I inclose copies
of Mrs. Conger’s address and Her Majesty’s reply.
I have, etc.,
[Page 206]
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Address of Baron Czikann, Dean of the diplomatic
corps, at imperial audience, January 28, 1902.
Sire: I have the honor to present to Your
Majesty, in the name of the representatives of the foreign powers at
Peking, our respectful homage.
The deplorable events of the year 1900, which led to the departure of
the Imperial Court from Peking and disturbed, for more than a year,
diplomatic relations with the Chinese Government, have necessitated
prolonged negotiations with the plenipotentiaries of Your Majesty.
The final protocol of these negotiations, signed on the 7th of
September, 1901, has happily and, as we are convinced, with mutual
satisfaction reestablished the former friendly relations between our
Governments and the Chinese Empire. It has created a new basis for
the future, on which, by the faithful fulfillment of its clauses,
these relations may be cultivated and rendered more and more
close.
We are pleased to consider the return of Your Majesty to Peking and
the gracious reception of the diplomatic corps as the consummation
of this work and as evidence of Your Majesty’s desire to develop a
cordial understanding between our Governments and to secure
perpetual peace between our countries.
We can assure Your Majesty that the august sovereigns and rulers of
the powers which we have the honor to represent are animated with
the same desire.
We are therefore happy to be able to express to Your Majesty, on the
occasion of your return to Peking, the very sincere wishes which we
entertain for the happiness of Your Majesty and for the welfare of
the Chinese Empire.
[Inclosure 2.]
The Emperor’s
informal reply to the address of the Dean of
the diplomatic corps, January 28, 1902.
I am very much gratified by the visit of your excellencies at this
time. Henceforth the friendly relations between China and the
Western powers will grow more intimate. To-day Her Majesty the
Empress Dowager also desires to see your excellencies and speak a
few words to you in person.
[Inclosure 3.]
The Emperor’s formal
reply to the address of the Dean of the
diplomatic corps, January 28, 1902.
The address which your excellencies have united in presenting to us,
expressing your kind feelings, has been heard by us with deepest
pleasure.
The troubles of last year, stirred up by the “Boxers,” having caused
our sudden departure, we especially appointed a prince and high
minister as plenipotentiaries, and commanded them to return to
Peking and negotiate and conclude a satisfactory treaty.
That our temples and altars are restored to peace and the people
saved from suffering is certainly due to the friendly feelings
entertained by the Emperors, Kings, and Presidents of your several
States, as well as to the efforts of your excellencies in our
behalf.
The united rejoicings of Chinese and foreigners at the return of our
Court will ever be gratefully remembered, and gives us added
pleasures and satisfaction.
We heartily share the sentiments of your excellencies that henceforth
we should together, by the manifestation of sincerity and justice,
secure confidence and righteousness, maintain harmony in our
international intercourse, and thus give peace to the whole
world.
[Page 207]
[Inclosure 4.]
The Empress Dowager’s reply to the address of the Dean of the diplomatic corps, January 28,
1902.
This audience with your excellencies to-day gives me very great
pleasure. When your excellencies were being terrified in the capital
last year, my heart was filled with great uneasiness. Henceforth
China and the Western powers will renew their friendly relations,
which will daily grow more intimate. Furthermore, I hope that while
your excellencies reside in Peking you may have every good that you
may desire and together enjoy the blessings of peace.
[Inclosure 5.]
Ceremonial observed at audience to diplomatic
corps, January 28, 1902.
At the appointed time the various ministers, riding in their chairs,
will be escorted by officers appointed by the board of foreign
affairs, who will conduct them through the Tung-Hua gate. The
secretaries, attachés, interpreters, etc., will leave their chairs
outside the Shang Ssu Yuan (the Palace Stud), and will follow on
foot. Outside the Ching Yun gate the ministers will exchange their
chairs for the palace chairs, prepared by the department of the
Imperial household, and will leave these chairs at the foot of the
steps outside of the Ch’ien Ch’ing gate, and will pass on foot
through the middle Ch’ien Ch’ing gate to the Imperial study, where
they will wait a few moments. At 1 o’clock the Emperor will enter
the hall, and the ministers of the foreign office will lead in the
ministers, their secretaries, attaches, interpreters, and others
according to their rank. In the first rank will be the ministers,
the doyen, and one interpreter, who will stand behind the doyen. The
second row will contain the secretaries and attaches, and the
remainder will constitute the third row. At the middle door of the
hall one bow will be made, on entering the hall a few steps a second
bow will be made, and when before the steps of the throne, a third
bow. The doyen will then read his address, which the interpreter
will translate, and when he shall have finished translating, the
Emperor will make his reply through Prince Ch’ing, which the
interpreter will translate to the several ministers. When they shall
have finished listening to the address, they will make a bow and
retire a few steps, bow a second time, then retire to the hall door
and bow a third time. When the ceremony is completed, they will lead
their secretaries, attachés, and interpreters sidewise to the left
gate and pass out backward. At the Imperial study they will rest
awhile, and then pass out through the middle Ch’ien Ch’ing gate,
enter the palace chairs, and ride through the Ching Yun gate, where
they will leave the palace chairs and enter their own, to be carried
back to their legations.
[Inclosure 6.]
Address of Mrs. Conger, doyenne, at the reception of the Empress
Dowager to the ladies of the diplomatic
corps, February 1, 1902.
Your Majesty: The ladies of the diplomatic
corps have responded with pleasure to your kind invitation to this
audience, and we must heartily congratulate you and all the Imperial
Court that the unfortunate situation which led you to abandon your
beautiful capital has been so happily resolved that you are now
permitted to return to it in freedom and in peace. Your safe return
to Peking and to this palace undestroyed will furnish pages to
future history little comprehended at this time. The events of the
past two years must be as painful to you as they are to the rest of
the world, but the sting of the sad experience may be eliminated,
and we sincerely hope it will be, by the establishment of better,
franker, more trustful, and friendlier relations between Chinese and
the other peoples of the earth.
The world is moving forward. The tide of progress can not be stayed,
and it is to be hoped that China will join the great sisterhood of
nations in the grand march. May all the nations united manifest
forbearance, respect, and good will, moving on to the mutual good of
all.
The recent Imperial edicts give promise of great good to come to your
people and to your vast Empire, and it is our earnest prayer that
God may preserve Your Majesty and the Emperor, and guide you to the
fullest fruition of this promise.
[Page 208]
[Inclosure 7.]
Reply of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress
Dowager to the address of
Mrs. Conger, February 1,
1902.
The very kind sentiments expressed by the ladies of the diplomatic
corps in the address which they have united in presenting to us have
given us the deepest pleasure.
Last year the dissensions in the capital caused a revolution which
compelled us suddenly to take our departure, but it is a great
gratification to us to know that our return now is a cause of
rejoicing both in China and abroad, and to see that Mrs. Conger is
entirely well, and that all the ladies are in everything
prosperous.
Your coming to the palace on this occasion for an audience and the
good wishes you express in your address for the prosperity of China
are a sure proof of your sincerity.
Henceforth the friendly intercourse between our several countries
will grow more intimate and the blessings of peace will rest upon us
all. We desire only that you may all, while in China, have your
desires gratified in all things, and find happiness and blessing.
For this we earnestly hope.
