Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, January 29,
1900.
No. 316.]Sir: Continuing the subject of my dispatches
Nos. 307 and 312, of 6th and 15th instant, I have the honor to report
that the latest information from Shantung and southern Chihli confirms
the general opinion that the Imperial decree of January 11, copy of
which was transmitted in my No. 312, was considered by the Boxers and
Big Sword societies as in their favor and did give them much
encouragement, and that instead of the Imperial decree and orders
scattering and suppressing them, their numbers are daily increasing and
more serious trouble is threatened.
On the 16th instant it was reported in the Chinese papers that the
character of “Fu” (happiness) had been conferred by the Emperor
[Page 94]
upon Yu Hsien, the governor of
Shantung, for which he had returned his thanks in Imperial audience.
This is the man who, because of his failure to protect the Christians and
their property, had, upon our demands, been called to Pekin.
I immediately sent Mr. Cheshire to the Tsungli Yamen to inquire if it
could be true that this negligent official was being thus honored
instead of being punished, as he richly deserved. The yamen replied that
it was true that the character had been conferred upon him, but that it
was according to Chinese law, and it was a common practice to confer
this character, as well as that of “Shou” (longevity), upon high
officials, etc.
I was not satisfied with this, and becoming convinced that the Imperial
authorities were trifling with this question, which was so imminently
threatening our missionaries, their converts, and the property of both,
I took occasion, in referring to the still unpunished criminals in the I
Choufu case, in a note sent to the Tsungli Yamen on the 18th instant, to
emphatically express my views of the Government’s action, calling
especial attention to the Imperial decree of the 11th instant and the
bestowal of the complimentary character upon the derelict governor,
etc.
I inclose copy of the note and translation of the yamen’s reply.
Soon after this the French, English, and German ministers received
additional details of more serious and increasing attacks upon the
native converts of their missions in the provinces mentioned, and a
conference of the three ministers and myself was held, at which it was
unanimously agreed that the situation was becoming intolerable, and that
the Chinese Government was simply trifling with a question of the
greatest importance to all of us, and that the only possible hope of
suppressing the riots and stopping the persecutions was in the absolute
dispersion and abolition of these two societies.
It was therefore decided to cooperate in bringing this about, and we
concluded to send to the Tsungli Yamen identical notes, urging such
action on the part of the Imperial Government as would certainly
accomplish the result.
Such notes from the British, French, German, and American ministers were
delivered to the Tsungli Yamen on the 27th instant, and it is proposed
to vigorously press the matter. (Copy of note inclosed.)
It may become advisable to have an opportune and contemporaneous
appearance of British, French, German, and United States war ships along
the Chinese coast in order to emphasize our demands and to frighten the
Chinese into a compliance with them.
If it is I shall telegraph you, and I hope arrangements can and will be
made with the Navy Department to order them forthwith from Manila.
The Chinese Government really care little for anything but power, and an
earnest exhibition of it always promptly moves them.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Conger to
the Tsungli Yamen.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, January 18, 1900.
Your Highness and your Excellencies: I have
the honor to again remind your highness and your excellencies that
your promise made me in June last, concerning
[Page 95]
the punishment of the ringleaders in the
persecution cases at Chi Chou, Jih Chao, and I Swei, have not been
carried out by the local officials.
Not only have no further arrests been made since my last note, but
even the two criminals then in prison have been released without
punishment and are now at large again threatening the Christians,
and it is reported that the local officials consider the cases
closed.
So far as this legation is concerned the cases are not closed and
will not be closed until the ringleaders mentioned are severely and
adequately punished as agreed upon.
I must, therefore, demand that Ho Wenchi and Ho Tingmin be
immediately arrested, and that Ho Chen Hsi and Ho Laimin be
rearrested, and all be forthwith rigorously and adequately
punished.
It is perfectly clear that such official neglect as is evidenced in
this case may be attributed to the deplorable, lawless, and
dangerous condition of affairs throughout the province of Shantung,
which has already resulted in the destruction of thousands and
thousands of dollars’ worth of property, the loss of many Chinese
lives, and the murder of Mr. Brooke.
Your highness and your excellencies will remember that I warned you
several months ago, both verbally and by note, that just such
terrible happenings were certain to occur unless Governor Yu Hsien
was compelled to take immediate and effective action.
I was repeatedly assured by your highness and your excellencies that
such orders had been sent him; and yet he sat idle, flagrantly
disregarding these instructions, and calmly witnessed his province
become aflame with rioting, robbery, persecution, and murder, while
at the same time he was vehemently protesting that all was quiet,
and that missionaries and ministers were only listening to idle
rumors.
For this conduct the governor richly deserved the severest punishment
and degradation. But, greatly to the surprise and disappointment of
all foreigners, he has received instead flattering and complimentary
reward from the Imperial Throne.
Surely rioting can not be suppressed and persecution stopped in this
way.
This can have no other effect than to encourage the Boxer and other
lawless organizations in Shantung in their publicly declared and
banner-displayed determination to drive out all foreigners and to
extirpate Christianity.
It is currently circulated in Shantung and elsewhere that these
secret societies, such as the Boxers and Big Knife, actually believe
that they have the secret sympathy and indorsement of the Throne;
and, unhappily, many sinologues insist that the Imperial decree of
the 11th instant in large measure justifies this belief; certainly
the Imperial commendation of Governor Yu Hsien furnishes grounds for
such opinions.
However, the best proof in the world that this is not the case, and
that China desires and is determined to faithfully fulfill all her
treaty obligations, will be the speedy suppression of these rioters,
the restoration of order, the punishment of the criminals and the
derelict officials, and prompt compensation for the property
destroyed, thus increasing the good relations between friendly
powers.
The treaty powers have a right to demand that this be done, and I, in
behalf of my Government, its citizen subjects and their peaceful
work in China, do demand it.
Specific demands for the punishment of particular officials, and of
leading rioters and persecutors, as well as for compensation for
chapels and other property destroyed, will be made in a later note,
especially if it shall be found that Governor Yuan Shi Kai does not
thoroughly punish and compensate.
In the meantime, and as made infinitely more important by the recent
events in Shantung, I repeat my particular demands as to the Chi
Chou, Jih Chao, and I Swei cases mentioned above.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your highness and your
excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration.
[Inclosure 2.]
The Tsungli Yamen to
Mr. Conger.
Your Excellency: We had the honor to
receive your excellency’s note (of January 18) wherein you request
the immediate arrest of the criminals in the Chi Chou, Jih Chao, and
I Swei cases, namely, Ho Wenchih and Ho Tingmin, who had fled, and
the rearrest of Ho Laimin and Ho Chen Hsi, and that they all be
forthwith rigorously punished, etc.
In reply we would beg to observe that on the 11th of December we
wrote to your
[Page 96]
excellency
stating that the yamen had communicated with the governor of
Shantung, calling upon him to rigorously instruct the officials
concerned to arrest without fail the criminals. This is a matter of
record. On receipt of a report from the governor of Shantung we will
again address your excellency.
As to the reference made in your excellency’s note of the character
“fu” (happiness) having been bestowed upon Governor Yu by the Throne
on his arrival in Pekin, we may state that this matter was fully
explained personally to Mr. Interpreter Cheshire by Minister Hsu
Chingcheng at the yamen on the 16th instant, and it is believed he
has already informed your excellency.
Cards of ministers, with compliments.
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Conger to
the Tsungli Yamen.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, January 27, 1900.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: Within
the last few weeks I have had occasion to address your highness and
your excellencies, both by letter and personally, with regard to the
deplorable state of affairs which exists in northern Shantung and in
the center and south of Chili.
This state of affairs, which is a disgrace to any civilized country,
has been brought about by the riotous and lawless behavior of
certain ruffians who have banded themselves together into two
societies termed the “Fist of Righteous Harmony” and the “Big Sword
Society,” and by the apathy and, in some instance, actual connivance
and encouragement of these societies by the local officials.
The members of these societies go about pillaging the houses of
Christian converts, breaking down their chapels, robbing and
illtreating inoffensive women and children, and it is a fact, to
which I would draw the especial attention of your highness and your
excellencies, that on the banners which are carried by these riotous
and lawless people are inscribed the words “Exterminate the
foreigners.”
On the 11th of January an imperial decree was issued drawing a
distinction between good and bad societies. The wording of this
decree has unfortunately given rise to a widespread impression that
such associations as the Fist of Righteous Harmony and the Big Sword
Society are regarded with favor by the Chinese Government, and their
members have openly expressed their gratification and have been
encouraged by the decree to carry on their outrages against the
Christian converts.
I can not for a moment suppose that such was the intention of this
decree. These societies are, as I have shown, of the most pernicious
and rebellious character.
I earnestly beg to draw the serious attention of the Throne to the
circumstances above described. The disorders have not yet reached
such a stage that they can not be stamped out by prompt and
energetic action, but if such action be not immediately taken, the
rioters will be encouraged to think that they have the support of
the Government and proceed to graver crimes, thereby seriously
endangering international relations.
As a preliminary measure, and one to which I attach the greatest
importance, I have to beg that an imperial decree be published and
promulgated, ordering by name the complete suppression and abolition
of the Fist of Righteous Harmony and the Big Sword societies, and I
request that it may be distinctly stated in the decree that to
belong to either of these societies, or to harbor any of its
members, is a criminal offense against the law of China.
I avail myself of the occasion to renew to your highness and your
excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration.
