Minister Rockhill
to the Secretary of State.
American Legation,
Peking, July 6,
1905.
No. 23.]
Sir: When I arrived in Shanghai on May 20,
last, on my way to my post, I was informed by our consul-general that a
few days previously the leading native merchant guilds of that place had
held meetings for the purpose of declaring a general boycott against all
American goods and persons residing in China for the purpose of forcing
the Government of the United States to amend its laws concerning the
exclusion of Chinese. The Chinese public was told that our government
was attempting to force that of China to sign a treaty highly
detrimental to Chinese interests and that the people of China ought by
means of the proposed boycott to resist America’s demands. Telegrams
were sent by the meeting to some twenty cities in China, all interested
in the American trade, urging them to take the proposed action, which
was to be put in force on or about August 1 next.
Our consul-general, while not believing that the proposed anti-American
agitation could have very series results, was nevertheless anxious about
it, and asked me to see the heads of the native guilds, which he had
asked to meet him at the consulate-general for the purpose of talking
the matter over with them.
I agreed to Mr. Davidson’s request, and on May 21 I met the committee of
representative merchants and bankers of the local guilds and explained
to them that they had been misled and were evidently not aware of the
true state of the negotiations now pending between the two governments,
otherwise they would have refrained from taking the hasty action they
had, which could only tend to create bad feeling and embarrass trade
without any object. I then read to them the memorandum of which I
inclose a copy. I asked them to make it known to their guilds. This they
promised to do, and they left assuring me that they were perfectly
satisfied with my explanations.
A couple of days later, the local native press continuing to print
inflammatory articles against our country and encouraging the proposed
boycott, I suggested to Mr. Davidson that he should see the taot’ai and
ask him to put a stop to such foolish and lawless agitation. Mr.
Davidson saw the taot’ai, but no action was taken by him.
On my arrival in Peking I found numerous telegrams and dispatches from
our consuls and citizens, reporting that the movement had spread to
Foochow, Amoy, Canton, Hankow, Tientsin, and to several interior towns
of this province, and fears were expressed that the ignorant people of
the interior might commit acts of violence against foreigners if the
Chinese Government did not take prompt action to check the
[Page 206]
movement and state the true
conditions of the negotiations for a new treaty.
I therefore asked the Prince Ch’ing in the first interview I had with him
on June 3 to take prompt action to put a stop to the agitation. This he
promised to do, but as the inflammatory articles continued to appear,
particularly in the Peking native press, I felt obliged to call his
attention to the matter in a note. This having remained unanswered for a
week, I wrote him again, and the day before yesterday I received the
inclosed reply, which tends to strengthen my belief that the movement
was with official approval, if not actually at official suggestion. The
action of the foreign office would probably not have been taken yet had
it not been that the energetic viceroy, Yuan Shih-k’ai, saw the possible
danger lurking in it and took prompt and radical action to suppress it.
He also wired to the foreign office here advising it strongly to
instruct the viceroys and governors of the various provinces to use
their efforts to arrest the movement. I have thanked the Viceroy Yuan
for his prompt and wise action, during a visit I paid him at Tientsin a
few days ago.
I inclose a copy of the proclamation issued in Tientsin by order of the
viceroy.
On receipt of the note from the Prince Ch’ing I cabled the
Department.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Minister Rockhill to the Chinese
guilds.
memorandum.
In 1894 the governments of China and the United States, animated by
the desire to amicably settle the question of the coming of Chinese
laborers into the United States, which previous treaties had either
left in an unsatisfactory condition or which previous experience had
shown required change and amendment, concluded a new treaty for a
period of ten years.
The last article of this treaty of 1894 provided that, if six months
prior to the date on which it expired (7th of December, 1904,)
neither of the signatory powers had declared its desire to terminate
it, it should be in force for another period of ten years.
The Chinese Government informed the American Government during the
summer of 1904 that it did not wish to see the treaty of 1894
extended beyond the date fixed for its termination; that is to say,
December 7, 1904. At the same time it declared its willingness to
begin negotiations for the conclusion of a new treaty regulating the
subject of the entry of Chinese laborers into the United States. In
August of last year—that is to say, about seven months ago—the
Chinese Government, through its minister at Washington, submitted a
first draft of a treaty for the consideration of the American
Secretary of State. This was to serve as a preliminary basis for
negotiations.
This first draft was carefully considered by the Secretary of State
of the United States, and, in due course of time, a reply was sent
to the Chinese minister, Liang Ch’eng, with a counter draft, in
which the proposals made by China in its draft were embodied with
such changes as were deemed necessary, to the end that the treaty
when concluded should in no wise conflict with the laws of the
United States, while at the same time they met all the wishes of the
Chinese Government.
These proposals of the American Government were translated by the
Chinese minister to his government at Peking, and some three months
later—that is to say, the early part of this year—a new draft,
embodying some of the modifications suggested by the United States,
was received by the American Secretary of State from the Waiwu
Pu.
This last draft is still before the American Government and is now
the basis on which negotiations between the two governments are
being conducted. It is confidently believed that it will enable the
two governments who are equally animated by an earnest and sincere
desire to remove this question from the field of discussion, and who
are conducting
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the
negotiations in the most amicable mannner, to reach a final
settlement both just and satisfactory to the two nations.
Although it would not be proper at the present stage of the
negotiations to disclose the provisions which in one form or another
will be incorporated into the treaty when finally agreed upon
between the two countries, it may be categorically and emphatically
stated that neither by word nor implication has the United States
sought to in anyway impede the return to the United States of
Chinese laborers rightfully entitled so to do, nor to put burdensome
restrictions in the way of Chinese subjects not belonging to the
laboring classes who may wish to visit the United States or to
reside therein for purposes of pleasure or study. On the contrary,
it is the earnest desire of the President and the people of the
United States to extend to this latter class of visitors all such
courtesies and facilities as they may desire, to become better
acquainted with our country, its resources, its industries, its mode
of thought, its method of administration, by which knowledge, better
than all other means, the relations with China may become closer and
even more friendly than they have ever been. It is believed that the
proposals which are now being considered by the United States and
China looking to this most desirable end will fulfill our
expectations and realize the friendly wishes of our President and
our people.
[Inclosure 2.]
Minister Rockhill to Prince
Ch’ing.
American Legation,
Peking, June 17,
1905.
Your Imperial Highness: I have the honor to
inclose a copy of a Chinese newspaper, the Ta Kung Pao, containing a
notice that advertisements of American firms will hereafter be
refused publication in that paper, and a copy of a letter addressed
by the same paper to an American lawyer in Tientsin, informing him
that his advertisement in the paper must be taken out. This is but
one of many instances brought to my notice in which newspapers,
handbills, and posters, have been employed to urge the Chinese
people to boycott American products, inciting a spirit of hostility
to our people.
Recently in a conversation with your highness I called your attention
to this agitation and received from your highness the assurance that
the matter was due to the foolish action of persons ignorant of the
real situation, and that your highness would take into consideration
some plan for putting a stop to it. On two other occasions I made
reference to the matter to your board, to his Imperial Highness
Prince Ch’ing, president of the board of foreign affairs, through
two secretaries of this legation when visiting the yamen. In view of
the fact that the organizations which are responsible for this
agitation state that they have communicated their views to the board
of foreign affairs I am at a loss to understand why no sufficient
action has been taken to put a stop to this foolish movement.
I trust, therefore, that your imperial highness will at once take the
necessary steps to this end. Such senseless talk in no wise
contributes to the friendliness and confidence which should exist
between the peoples of our countries, and might not unlikely lead
the ignorant to acts of violence against Americans and other
foreigners.
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure
3.—Translation.]
Prince Ch’ing to
Minister Rockhill.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt recently of several
letters from your excellency regarding the organized boycott against
American goods in several ports of China.
Your excellency says this agitation is based on absolutely groundless
reports of extraordinarily harsh terms now being enforced on Chinese
in the United States, and you request that steps be taken
immediately to arrest this movement.
My board finds upon investigation that this movement has not been
inaugurated without some reason, for the restrictions against
Chinese entering America are too strong and American exclusion laws
are extremely inconvenient to the Chinese.
The coolie immigration treaty has now expired, but although this
treaty is null, the exclusion restrictions are still enforced.
The great inconveniences brought to all Chinese merchants has thus
led to this movement, but if the restrictions can be lightened by
your government and a treaty drawn up in a friendly manner then this
agitation will of its own accord die out.
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My board has already telegraphed to the various coast and river ports
instructing the viceroys and governors to use every endeavor to
undeceive the merchants and others, that the affair may not spread
into a general movement.
As to the report made by your consul at Foochow, mention of which you
made in your recent dispatch, my board has already sent telegraphic
instructions to (the governor of) said province directing him to use
strict methods and put an end to the affair.
It becomes my duty therefore to send this report to your excellency’s
dispatch.
A necessary dispatch.
Kuanghsü, XXXI year, 5th moon, 29th day
(July 1, 1905).
[seal.]
[Inclosure 4.]
A proclamation issued by the Tientsin prefecture, Tientsin district,
and the chief of police, enabling all to know that, whereas the
people have been collecting in large numbers to meet for
deliberation, it must be prohibited, as it is contrary to law.
We have now been informed by the governor general that if in future
twenty or more people collect in numbers to meet for deliberation,
it is imperative that the chief of police be first informed of the
purpose and date of the meeting. At the time set for the meeting an
official shall be appointed to proceed to the place to examine and
listen to the discourse. If they shall dare to discourse upon an
untruthful topic and by the use of fine words cause others to
believe, or if there are any who, on their own authority, meet for
deliberation, the leaders shall certainly be seized and dealt with
accordingly.
As in duty bound we issue this proclamation, thereby enabling all to
clearly understand. In accordance with this proclamation we trust
that all the people of Tientsin will act as one body and obey
accordingly. A special proclamation. Do not disobey.
From the “Ta Kung Pao”
(L’Impartial), 22d day of the 5th moon in the 31st year
of Kuanghsü (June 24, 1905).