Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

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.,

E. H. Conger.
[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.