Lord Gough to Mr. Olney.
Newport, R. I., August 7, 1895.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty’s Government have received by telegraph from Her Majesty’s consul at Foochow a report describing an attack on missionaries at Kutien, in which 8 women, 1 man, and 1 child, British subjects, were killed and others wounded, some of whom were American citizens.
Her Majesty’s minister at Peking has demanded of the Yamên, as a first step, a military escort for the consul, in order that he may visit the scene of the massacre and hold an inquiry; also that stringent measures should be taken for the protection of other missionaries. He has also asked for the immediate issue of an Imperial proclamation for the punishment of the guilty parties.
I am instructed by Her Majesty’s Government to express their hope that the representative of the United States at Peking may be instructed to consult with Her Majesty’s minister at that capital and to act in concert with him.
[Page 720]In the opinion of Her Majesty’s Government it is of great importance that no question of money compensation should be raised or entertained till after the punishment of the offenders, and that the mandarins, who are generally responsible for such outrages, should not be allowed to escape.
I have, etc.,