of October 4, 1905), in which I asked that the viceroy of the Liang Kwang take effective steps to stop the anti-American agitation in his Province. I inclose herewith a copy in translation of a note which I received yesterday from the Prince of Ch'ing giving the telegraphic reply to the viceroy. The viceroy, you will note, does not state when he issued the new proclamation, but I have little doubt that it was only after he heard of the massacre of our fellow-countrymen at Lien Chou. It would seem that the viceroy has finally been stirred up to do his duty, and with constant urging from the Peking Government he may put a final stop to all manifestations of hostility against us. I have, etc., W. W. ROCKHILL. [Inclosure.] The Prince of Ch'ing to Minister Rockhill. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 4th of the 10th moon, XXXI year of Kuanghsü (October 31, 1905), of your excellency's dispatch saying that the measures being taken by the viceroy at Canton to stop the boycott were insufficient; that it had been over a month since I had telegraphed orders to him, and that no such length of time was required to obtain from him an acknowledgment of the orders and a statement that he would comply with them; that the condition of affairs in Kwang-tung as regarded American trade showed either the incapacity or the unwillingness of the viceroy to deal with this question, and that you would have to insist upon my Government's taking more vigorous measures to cause Chinese subjects to obey the imperial decree; that you trusted I would favor you with an immediate reply, giving assurance that such measures were being taken as you requested; that negligence to enforce imperial orders could only breed disrespect for them and might lead to serious disorders; that you had further to inform me that you were in receipt of a communication from the President of the United States saying that the American Government desired to act justly toward China, but at the same time could not tolerate any injustice from China; and that you trusted that I would recognize the serious condition of affairs and act with promptitude. As to this matter, yesterday I received a reply from the viceroy at Canton, as follows: "I have already issued a proclamation warning the people, and have directed all the taot'ais, prefects, and subprefects in the Provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangshi to at once transmit it to the subordinate officials in their jurisdictions, with orders to post it everywhere at once. I also directed these officials to comply with repeated instructions as to the treatment of this question by admonishing and guiding the merchants in their several jurisdictions so as to secure a satisfactory adjustment of the matter. I also ordered the officials to give protection to Chinese in the employ of the American consulate, business houses, and ships, as required by the regulations, and to warn the editors of any newspapers in their jurisdictions that they must not defame such employees, and I instructed the said officials to report to me the steps taken to carry out their orders and the dates on which they posted the proclamation, that I might make a record for future reference." On receipt of the above I again telegraphed the viceroy at Canton, strictly charging him that his efforts to admonish and guide must show earnestness and that he must be vigorous in enforcing his prohibitions. As soon as I shall hear from him again I will communicate his reply to your excellency. In the meantime, as in duty bound, I send this reply for your consideration. A necessary dispatch. Kuanghsü, XXXI year, tenth moon, 8th day (November 4, 1905). a Foreign Relations for 1905, p. 229. No. 74.] The Secretary of State to Minister Rockhill. [Extract.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 25, 1905. SIR: On the 15th instant the Chinese minister handed to me a telegram from his Government, explaining and expressing regret for the recent murder of the American missionaries at Ying tak. I said to him that there was a widespread feeling that his Government had not done all that could be done, particularly in the southern Provinces, to put an end to the boycott of American goods; that well-informed persons asserted that the proclamations which had been issued were not of such a character as to lead the Chinese population to understand that the Government really meant what it said; that the people of the United States could not fail to refer the recent murder of missionaries at Ying tak to the spirit created among the people of southern China by the long continuance of the boycott; that we should expect that the expressions of regret for the massacre, which we were glad to receive from the Chinese Government, would be followed by prompt and vigorous action to put an end to the boycott, which we believe to be the real cause of the difficulty. The minister said that he would communicate this to his Government. The above is communicated to you for your information merely. I am, etc., ELIHU ROOT. Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] PEKING, December 3, 1905. (Mr. Rockhill says that the result of the joint investigation is reported from Lien-Chou by Consul-General Lay. So far three or four of the persons under arrest are probably guilty, and others implicated. Lay recommends light punishment for those slightly implicated, in view of the large size of the mob taking part in the massacre; he says he has ascertained the cause of the riot and massacre, responsibility for them, and approximate value of property destroyed, and asks permission to remain to witness the executions. Mr. Rockhill inquires whether he shall instruct Mr. Lay as the latter wishes, and says that unquestionably the population will be impressed by prompt punishment of the guilty. He has already instructed the consul-general that the question of indemnification is reserved until the department's orders and the demands of the Presbyterian board are known, and that for the present he must see that full justice is administered by the Chinese authorities.) The Secretary of State to Minister Rockhill. [Telegram--Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 4, 1905. (Mr. Root tells Mr. Rockhill, unless he sees reasons to the contrary, to instruct Consul-General Lay according to the wishes of the latter.) Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] [Extract.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, December 29, 1905. (Mr. Rockhill states that on the 18th instant he received a note from the foreign office, containing a report from the viceroy at Canton on the investigation of the Lienchou massacre and findings of the joint commission. The viceroy approves the findings and asks the foreign office to request Mr. Rockhill to instruct Consul-General Lay to close the case on the basis of them. Accordingly the foreign office requests him to instruct the consul-general to settle the case at Canton with the deputies of the viceroy. Mr. Rockhill says that he has received also a report from the consul-general substantially agreeing with the Chinese version and determining the responsibility. Little is added by it to the telegram sent by him to the department and to the legation on the 16th instant. He makes no recommendations in regard to punishment of officials, but Mr. Rockhill is asking him to do so. The Imperial edict reported in legation's No. 138 orders punishment of officials directly responsible and indemnification in principle. The minister asks to be instructed concerning indemnity and other reparation, including punishment of officials responsible in any degree; also whether the case should be settled by the consulgeneral or at the legation.) No. 91.] The Secretary of State to Minister Rockhill. Washington, January 22, 1906. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 140, of November 6 last, reporting the result of your conference with members of the Chinese foreign office regarding the murder of American missionaries at Lienchou. It seems to the department to be advisable not to demand the immediate dismissal of the viceroy at Canton; but you will inform the Government at Peking of the extreme dissatisfaction of the Government of the United States with the viceroy's conduct, both as to the boycott and as to the murder of the missionaries, and you will say that a demand for his degradation will be held under consideration, awaiting the result of his alleged efforts to establish satisfactory relations with the United States. I am, etc., E. ROOT. The Acting Secretary of State to Minister Rockhill. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, The minister is instructed to report any information he has relative to indemnities on account of death or losses by the Lienchou massacre, and to state whether any American citizens have filed claims for indemnity on account thereof.) Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] AMERICAN LEGATION, (States that the American consul-general at Canton reports the filing by the Presbyterian mission of two claims for losses in Lienchou, one of 52,000-odd Mexican dollars for their losses, another of 9,000-odd Mexican dollars for those of their converts. Indemnity for deaths is not sought by the mission. The consul-general states that the Chinese authorities are willing to pay the claim of the converts if presented by the American officials.) No. 302.1 Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN LEGATION, Peking, May 5, 1906. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge as follows the receipt of the department's cablegram of the 3d (2d) instant: " On receipt of the above I wired our consul-general at Canton, asking if the Presbyterian mission had filed with him any claims for losses incurred at Lienchou and for the death of members of the mission and their families. I received yesterday the following reply: ROCKHILL, Peking: Treasurer of the Presbyterian mission here authorized by his board to receive claims for indemnity. Filed two claims at the consulate, one for losses American property and the other converts' property, all as per lists of losses inclosed our unnumbered dispatch December 16. Mission does not seek indemnity for deaths. We are informed converts' losses will be paid if they are presented to Chinese Government. HEINTZLEMAN. Upon receipt of this telegram I cabled you, on the 5th instant, as follows: " For your further information I inclose herewith copies of the lists referred to in Mr. Lay's telegram of May 4, which were sent to me in his dispatch of December 16 last. I beg to call your attention to the error in the total of American losses, which apparently should be $49,896.40 Mexican instead of $52.786.40, and a similar error in the total of Chinese losses, which should read $9.258.86 Mexican and not $9,057.86. I have informed Mr. Lay of these discrepancies. a Supra. I may also add that in a recent dispatch Mr. Lay informed me that he was told that the Chinese authorities had some time ago deposited with the International Banking Corporation a sum sufficient for the payment of the claims of the mission. I have, etc., W. W. ROCKHILL. [Inclosure 1.] STATEMENT OF LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. We find the following * ** destruction of property, occurring at Lienchou, Province of Kwangtung, China, on the 28th day of October, 1905, viz: Superintendent's fees for overseeing erection of buildings, 5 per cent cost of building.... Doctor Machle's house (in this house also mission property) Rev. R. F. Edwards's personal property- Reverend and Mrs. Peale's personal property. Reverend Scheirer's furniture (property of mission board) Cash lost ($150, $70; $200 in silver, $20 in pennies). Real estate___. Grand total___. 6, 776.90 1,500.00 800.00 1,000.00 200.00 2,500.00 450.00 500.00 29, 250.90 52, 786. 40 |