Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, March 19,
1902.
No. 950.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith
copies of correspondence with Consul Wilcox, of Hankow, in regard to the
applications of Messrs. Kuhl and Snyder, American missionaries, for
permission to reside and travel in Thibet.
The correspondence is self-explanatory. I may possibly be exercising an
excess of caution in declining to urge their request upon the Chinese
Government; but the present time does not seem to me to be opportune,
and I am unwilling that our people shall take any undue risks by
traveling in Thibet.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Wilcox to
Mr. Conger.
United States Consulate,
Hankow, March 5,
1902.
Sir: I had the honor to forward
applications for passports for Messrs. Ruhl and Snyder to return to
their mission in eastern Thibet. I received their passports Nos. 367
and 365, but while they give them permission to travel in Hupeh,
Szechuen, and Kansuh, they do not permit them to travel in
Thibet.
[Page 227]
They desire to leave here by April 5. I would therefore inquire if a
special permit can not be granted to them (separately) to return to
their mission in Thibet?
Awaiting your early reply, I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Conger to
Mr. Wilcox.
United States Legation,
Peking, March 17,
1902.
Sir: Referring to your dispatch dated the
5th instant, in regard to passports of Messrs. Ruhl and Snyder,
requesting permission to return to their mission in Thibet, I have
to say that in returning these passports to the legation the Foreign
office said:
“As to the mention of Thibet in your note, the Western tribes are
wild and fierce in character and constantly insult and annoy
strangers and people from a distance, so that it will be difficult
to satisfactorily arrange for safe protection. If we cause the
people of various countries to run into danger and any remissness
should occur it would be impossible to avoid injuries to good
feeling. For several years our board has warned against this, of
which there is record.”
The treaty right to travel in Thibet is doubtful. But in any event I
do not believe it wise at the present time to urge the point or add
to the difficulties of the Chinese Government in the protection of
foreigners and the maintenance of order. As it is evidently
reluctant to grant permission lest some accident occur, I deem it
best to respect its wishes. I am therefore constrained to advise
Messrs. Ruhl and Snyder to postpone their contemplated journey to
Thibet until a more favorable occasion.
I am, etc.,
