As soon as the information of the actual riots or the apprehension of
riots reached me, I notified the Yamên and demanded that immediate and
energetic measures be taken to prevent and suppress disorder.
As to the Basil mission, which is composed of German Lutherans, no
definite answer is given in this communication. Information was received
at the German legation that the riot mentioned had occurred and all the
property was destroyed. Difficulties in other places, if the account
given by the Yamên is true, were not serious. The Yamên promises
energetic action.
[Inclosure in No.
2372.—Translation.]
The Tsung-li Yamên to
Mr. Denby.
The prince and ministers had the honor on the 21st instant to receive
a communication from the minister of the United States, wherein he
states that the United States consul at Ningpo had wired him that
there is a great development of spirit antagonistic to foreigners
spreading over the province of Chekiang, and that proclamations are
posted calling on the people to kill the native and foreign
Christians and destroy their property. The minister of the United
States requested that immediate steps be taken to insure and
preserve order and that the Imperial edict be required to be posted
in all public places.
On the same day the minister of the United States sent another
dispatch to the Yamên stating that the Basil mission, at a place 70
miles
[Page 149]
west of Swatow, had
been looted and large plundering bands are operating in the Kochou
district. The request was made that immediate steps be taken to
protect foreigners in these localities.
The Yamên telegraphed the authorities of Chekiang and Canton to
carefully investigate these cases and take satisfactory action in
the premises.
The governor of Chekiang has wired that he, some time ago, received a
telegram from the United States consul at Ningpo stating that
proclamations were posted at Chin-hua Fu calling on the people to
kill the native and foreign Christians and destroy their property.
The protect reported that Yang-pu is a place in the jurisdiction of
the district of Yang-hei. On the 14th of September a missionary
named Pai Pao lo presented a complaint in regard to this matter,
whereupon the prefect deputed an assistant district magistrate to go
there and hold an investigation. That officer reported that there
were Christians in Yang-pu, but no chapels. There were chapels in
the Tung yu district city, and on account of the people and
Christians bearing a grudge toward each other, false accusations
were made, and hence the mistaken reports the missionaries had
heard. The said magistrate and others went in person to Yang-pu,
summoned the people and Christians before them, and instructed them.
They gave guarantee for their behavior, and the trouble thus
ended.
The magistrate of Lung-yu was informed that he should satisfactorily
give protection to all alike. The action taken was made known to the
missionary Pai Pao-lo.
As to the Imperial decree, it is not true that it has not been
posted. The people and Christians at Chin-hua Fu are now living
peacefully together.
The Yamên has also received a telegraphic reply from the viceroy at
Canton stating that, in regard to plundering bands operating in the
Kochou district, it appears that in the spring there was trouble at
a place called Wuchuan. Soldiers were sent there to arrest the
rioters, but they had dispersed. It is now said that outlaws are
secretly returning for the purpose of plundering, and in consequence
military officers have been sent there to attack and destroy them.
Protection will surely be given. The local authorities have not
reported any trouble or disturbance at the missionary chapels. No
reports have been received of any looting of the missionary
establishments at Wei-lin. The commander in chief and brigade
general have been deputed with soldiers to surround and destroy the
thieves.
As in duty bound, the prince and ministers send this communication
for the information of the minister of the United States.
