Office of the Historian

Mr. Denby to Mr. Blaine.

Peking, March 5, 1892. (Received, April 18.)
No. 1485].

legation of the united states.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a translation of a communication from the foreign office on the subject of the action taken by the Government relative to the riot at Wuku last year. The yamên sets out that two of the rioters were arrested and decapitated on the spot. Others were punished by imprisonment and the cargue. Later, another leader, Kao Yu Ching, was arrested and beheaded. Thus the leading criminals have been punished as a warning to others in the future.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.
[Inclosure in No. 1485.]

The Tsung-li-yamen to Mr. Denby.

Peking, March 3, 1892.
No. 3.]

Upon the 24th February, the Prince and ministers received from the minister superintendent of southern trade a communication stating that in the matter of the burning and destruction of missionary property at Wuku by outlaws last year, Chuan Yon Shun and Wang Kuang Chin, rioters, were decapitated on the spot, and their heads exposed as a warning to others. Other participants in the riots were also punished, some by imprisonment, and others cargued, according to the nature of the offense committed. At the same time, instructions were issued to cause the apprehension of Kao Yu Ching, one of the chief rioters, and other miscreants, and to have meted out to them rigorous punishment.

Later the expectant Taotai, Yuan, in charge of the tithing office at Wuku, reported that in December of last year Chen Hsi-tung, an outlaw, was arrested and, on being examined, the whereabouts of Kao Yu Ching were ascertained. A worthy officer with soldiers was dispatched to effect his arrest. A petition was therefore presented to the minister superintendent of southern trade asking for instructions as to what action should be taken with this criminal. Instructions were accordingly issued and the Wuku Taotai made his report to effect that he had examined the said criminal and it appeared that he was a conspicuous leader of the seditious society and that he had been engaged in the missionary disturbances, beating gongs, and causing destruction of property by fire. His criminal acts were of such a nature that leniency should not in any way be shown. A copy of the evidence was transmitted to the minister superintendent of southern trade asking for instructions in the premises. He, finding that the criminal was a conspicuous leader and that he had taken the lead in the burning of missionary property, considered that it would not be convenient to postpone for any length of time his punishment, and therefore ordered [Page 92] that he be at once beheaded and that his head be exposed as a warning to the populace. The yamên would observe that the first missionary outrage occurred at Wuku. The leading criminals have been apprehended and punished. The heads of the evildoers have been taken off as examples to others. Now besides having addressed his excellency Mr. Lemaire, the French minister, on the subject, as in duty bound, the Prince and ministers in like manner send this communication for the information of the minister of the United States.