Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State.
Peking, December 29, 1905.
(Mr. Rockhill states that on the 18th instant he received a note from the foreign office, containing a report from the viceroy at Canton on the investigation of the Lienchou massacre and findings of the joint commission. The viceroy approves the findings and asks the foreign office to request Mr. Rockhill to instruct Consul-General Lay to close the case on the basis of them. Accordingly the foreign office requests him to instruct the consul-general to settle the case at Canton with the deputies of the viceroy. Mr. Rockhill says that he has received also a report from the consul-general substantially agreeing with the Chinese version and determining the responsibility. Little is added by it to the telegram sent by him to the department and to the legation on the 16th instant. He makes no recommendations in regard to punishment of officials, but Mr. Rockhill is asking him to do so. The Imperial edict reported in legation’s No. 138 orders punishment of officials directly responsible and indemnification in principle. The minister asks to be instructed concerning indemnity and other reparation, including punishment of officials responsible in any degree; also whether the case should be settled by the consul-general or at the legation.)