The yamên reiterates its refusal to pay any compensation to Rev. Gilbert
Reid. It says that it repeatedly directed the Shan-Tung authorities
[Page 198]
to assist the missionaries in
finding another tract of land. It sets forth in full a communication from
the governor of Shan-Tung on the subject. The governor says that the money
paid by the missionaries was recovered and deposited with the magistrate;
that the missionaries refuse to receive it; that a large tract of land was
purchased by the missionaries, and, although the people objected, they now
have it in possession; that the United States minister repeatedly
represented that the missionaries were willing to accept any suitable land
and did not insist on any particular lot; that the deed to the original town
lot should be returned and the matter brought to an end in order that good
feeling may exist. He begs, in conclusion, that the minister be requested to
so instruct the missionaries.
The yamên further observes that the acquisition of this large tract of land
enables the missionaries to carry on their good work, and that yourself and
I will not fail to rejoice thereat; that the property should be taken as a
settlement of the whole case. If the missionaries still desire to hunt for
other property and claim indemnity and press the matter, although the
authorities can not accomplish their wishes, there is reason to fear that
the populace will cause trouble, and that they will lose the property they
now have. The yamên hopes that the minister will accept this view and will
so instruct the missionaries. It denies the statements made as to the death
of the landlord.
All this is simply a repetition of communications that have been repeatedly
sent to me.
Under your instructions, I shall not abandon the case, though it seems
useless to press it at present. I shall wait until, by the efforts of Mr.
Reid, some favorable turn takes place at Chi-nan-fu or some other desirable
occasion arises to renew negotiations.
[Inclosure in No.
1151—Translation.]
The Tsung-li yamên to Mr.
Denby.
Your Excellency: Upon the 8th instant the
prince and ministers had the honor to receive a communication from Your
Excellency, wherein you stated that you were ordered by your Government
to bring to their attention again the missionary case at Chi-nan-fu, and
you begged that the yamên would order an immediate settlement to be made
on the lines indicated by Your Excellency.
With reference to the case in question, during the eleventh and twelfth
moons of last year (December, 1889, and January, 1890), the yamên had
the honor to receive repeated communications from Your Excellency having
relation to it, to which replies were made setting forth the
circumstances, all of which is a matter of record.
As to the question of paying an indemnity to the Rev. Gilbert Reid, this
was clearly explained in the yamên’s previous note (January 18, 1890), a
reference to which will enable Your Excellency to know the yamên’s
views, and there is no need to repeat them here.
In the matter of searching for and leasing other property, the prince and
ministers have to say that, in view of the repeated requests made by
Your Excellency, the yamên addressed several communications to the
Shan-Tung authorities to render assistance to the missionaries in
finding a place. The yamên has now received from the governor of
Shan-Tung a communication couched in the following language:
“In case of the leasing of house property by the Rev. Gilbert Reid from
Lin Mêng Kwei, a long time since instructions were issued to the
magistrate, who clearly investigated the matter and brought it to a
close. The money paid by the missionaries was recovered and deposited in
the treasury of the magistrate. Mr. Reid has been urged frequently to
take back the money, but up to the present time he has failed to do so.
In the jurisdiction of the Li Cheng district another large piece of
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property was purchased by the
missionaries. The gentry and people of the place, however, came forward
and offered objection to the missionaries having the place, but the
magistrate used various ways to explain and to show them the right way
to pursue, and the property was decided in favor of the missionaries.
His Excellency the United States minister repeatedly stated that the
missionaries were willing to accept any suitable place that may be
satisfactory to the authorities, and that they did not insist on any
particular spot. In the matter of the tract of land which the
missionaries have acquired, the gentry and people have listened to the
admonitions and orders of the officials, and they will not create any
further trouble. The missionaries should return the deed of the original
property to the magistrate for cancellation and receive the amount they
originally paid, and thus bring the case to a termination. Then it may
be hoped that harmony and good feeling may be promoted among the
missionaries and populace and nothing occur that may tend to produce a
discordant feeling. The governor begs that a communication be addressed
to the United States minister requesting him to instruct the
missionaries to lose no time in acting accordingly.”
In the matter of the missionaries acquiring property, the prince and
ministers, would observe that the authorities of Shan-Tung have, during
the last few years, spared no amount of trouble and pains, and they have
not shown a want of diligence. The desire of the missionaries to carry
on all their good work has (by the acquisition of the large tract of
land) been fully accomplished in accordance with their wishes, and still
they have retained their reputation and honor. Your Excellency, who has
from first to last been actuated with a desire to protect the
missionaries, will also feel comforted and consoled, and the Honorable
Secretary of State, on hearing of it (the property the missionaries have
acquired), will not fail to rejoice. This property can easily be taken
as a settlement of the whole case.
If the missionaries still desire to hunt for other property and claim for
the payment of an indemnity, this will show that they are biased and
prejudiced (in favor of self-interests); and if they show a persistent
desire in pressing a matter that is hard to bring about, without taking
into consideration the fact that the authorities of Shan-Tung can not
possibly accomplish their wishes, there is a great fear that, if the
populace should hear of their action, it will cause them uneasiness, and
the very property which the missionaries now have may be taken as a
pretext and further complications follow. Such an event would be
decidedly at variance with the views of the yamên and of Your Excellency
to give full protection to the said missionaries.
The prince and ministers hope that Your Excellency will clearly and
minutely point out to the missionaries the right way they should pursue
and to lose no time in instructing them to hand over the deeds (of the
original property) to the authorities to be canceled and to receive the
money they expended. Then in future there will not be any pending
question of a difficult nature.
As to the death of the landlord, who was very ill, it should not be said
that his demise was the result of cruelty and maltreatment. The
statement of the missionaries to that effect is one which the prince and
ministers decidedly can not give credence to.
Further, as to the proper matters of business incumbent on the local
officials to perform there, the yamên need not inquire about.
A necessary communication, etc.
