Office of the Historian

File No. 20866/3.

Chargé Fletcher to the Secretary of State.

[Extract.]
American Legation,
Peking, June 23, 1909.
No. 1182.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of a dispatch, with its inclosures received from the consul general at Canton, with reference to his recognition of the American Chinese Presbyterian Missionary Society as entitled to American protection.

I have advised Mr. Bergholz to take no action until the department’s decision has been received.

While the case is somewhat similar to that of the Tai Hong Co. (vide Mr. Bacon to Mr. Rockhill, No. 507, of Oct. 27, 1908), T have thought it best to refer it to the department for decision, at the same time stating that in my opinion the society as it presents itself in China does not seem to represent sufficient American interest to entitle it to our protection. Nor does it seem to fall within the spirit of our treaty provisions with regard to the privileges of American missionary societies.

Inasmuch as Mr. Bergholz reports that the agents of the society in China are none of them American citizens, I think, aside from the question of the status of the society itself, that this fact would be sufficient to base our refusal to recognize it as entitled to our protection.

It would not be too much to expect of all American missionary societies that they should employ Americans as the principal and responsible agents in China if they wish to secure American protection. This, of course, does not mean that native preachers and Bible vendors may not be employed, but only refers to persons at the head of and in Chargé of the missionary work and in control of its activities in the localities concerned.

I have the honor to request the return to the legation of the articles of incorporation inclosed, as well as the power of attorney.

I have, etc.,

Henry P. Fletcher.
[Page 67]
[Inclosure—Extract.]

Consul-General Bergholz to Minister Rockhill.

American Consulate General,
Canton, May 26, 1909.
No. 266.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose the articles of incorporation of the American Chinese Presbyterian Missionary Society and a power of attorney from this organization appointing certain Chinese to be its agents in China.

The society is composed wholly of Chinese, the majority of whom, it is stated in the articles of incorporation, are residents and citizens of the State of California, but there is nothing to show that they are citizens of the United States.

The object of this society is to propagate, promulgate, and disseminate among the people of the Chinese race in the United States, in China, and elsewhere the Christian religion, but out of the five agents appointed for this purpose in China all are Chinese, four being Chinese subjects and one a British subject. The first one alone is a clergyman, the second, third, and fourth are merchants, and the fifth is a physician.

The society has already acquired several pieces of property in the interior, which it is proposed I shall consider American owned, and protect accordingly.

The question arises, however, whether this organization, comprised possibly of Chinese subjects and whose representatives in China are all Chinese, and with the exception of one, who is a British subject, Chinese subjects, can be considered as an American missionary society, whose property can be accorded the protection of the United States. I beg to be instructed on this point.

I have, etc.,

Leo Bergholz.