893.00/3359
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State
Peking, April 12,
1920.
[Received May 25.]
No. 3208
Sir: With reference to a riot created by
cargo-coolies in the British concession at Kiukiang on the 14th of
March last, which was the subject of the Department’s cable No. 69
of March 26th and my reply thereto No. 70 dated March 31st last in
which I stated that there had been no casualties and that the
reports of the so-called riot had been greatly exaggerated, I have
the honor now to enclose copy of a letter from the British Chargé
d’Affaires which accurately describes the events on that occasion.
In a letter to the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs the Legation
summarized a detailed account sent from the office of the American
Consul General at Hankow to the effect that after the incident
between the coolies and the policeman, the coolies struck work and
invaded the concession. The mob took the British superintendent of
police away from the concession and subjected him to many
indignities. When affairs were in this dangerous situation, since
there was no British gun-boat in port the British Consul requested
the two American ships in port to land an armed party to assist in
restoring order and protecting foreign life and property.
The American sailors were in the concession at Kiukiang only a few
hours and they left when the Chinese authorities sent soldiers to
protect the residents and property there. It was unnecessary to use
force in restoring order, but two Chinese coolies were slightly
injured.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
The British Chargé in China (Lampson) to the American Chargé in China
(Tenney)
My Dear Colleague: On the 14th of March
a riot was created by cargo coolies in the British Concession at
Kiukiang. The trouble
[Page 804]
appears to have been started by a constable pushing a coolie,
carrying a bag of rice, who refused to leave the footpath as
directed by the constable in accordance with the Concession
Regulations. According to the reports I have received the man
fell down, was not injured, but malingered. The mob of cargo
coolies became excited, set upon the constable in question and
knocked him about together with three of his fellow constables;
they further dragged the British Inspector of Police off to a
yamen in the city, kicking and maltreating him on the way.
The situation was somewhat alarming and might well have developed
more seriously had it not been for the courtesy of the Commander
of the United States gunboat Elcano who
landed men in response to the request of His Majesty’s Consul
and cleared the mob out of the Concession. In the opinion of His
Majesty’s Consul the mob were handled with tact and
consideration, no injury being caused to any but two coolies
were pricked with the bayonet on account of their slowness in
moving.
I desire to express my thanks and those of the British community
at Kiukiang for the assistance kindly rendered by the Commander
of the Elcano and trust that you will
cause an intimation of my appreciation to be conveyed to
him.
I am [etc.]
