No. 197.
Mr. Denby
to Mr. Bayard.
Peking, April 7, 1888. (Received May 31.)
Sir: I have the honor to report that the question whether the foreign ministers should shortly demand to be received in audience by the Emperor is again being agitated.
It is reported that the Emperor will on the 20th proximo escort the Empress to her separate residence, will leave her there, and will thence-” forth assume the sole rule of the Empire.
It is argued by some of the ministers that this would be an auspicious and proper time to demand audience. It is said that the foreign powers have so far forgiven the gross want of courtesy displayed by China to their representatives while they receive and honor the ministers sent by China to them on account of the ignorance of international usages heretofore existing among the Chinese, but that this excuse no longer exists. Some of the ministers are inclined to ask an assurance from their Governments that if the Emperor now refuses to receive them the ministers of China will in like manner be refused audience by the heads of their Governments.
I do not ask authority, in the discussion of the audience question, to say that if audience is denied to me it will be denied to the Chinese minister at Washington. I do not think it proper to pledge my Government to any particular course on this question.
There may be time to report the facts and ask positive instructions.
I need say nothing on the general question, because my archives show the unbroken concurrence of yourself and your predecessors in favor of demanding audience. It is not a matter of etiquette, but a matter of vital interest to foreigners in China.
I learn that the Emperor will not be married this year. If demand for audience were now made, an answer might be postponed until his marriage, which will occur next year.
Owing to the great length of time required in the transmission of dispatches and answers, I deemed it proper to present this question now.
I have, etc.,