Mr. Rockhill to Mr.
Hay.
No. 121.]
Commissioner of
the United States to China,
Peking,
China, June 22,
1901.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith for your
information translation of a communication addressed to Sir Ernest Satow by
the Chinese plenipotentiaries, in which the latter state their intention to
bring some 3,000 troops to Peking to take over the policing of the city. An
identical communication was sent to the ministers of the other powers having
troops in this province.
I also inclose copy of the reply of the diplomatic corps to the communication
cited, informing the Chinese plenipotentiaries that, until further orders,
no Chinese troops can be allowed to advance toward Peking.
At the present time the actual work of policing the city is in the
[Page 248]
hands of the Chinese authorities,
subject to the control of the various military commanders, and it would seem
that this was the better method of managing this work until the complete
evacuation of the capital by the foreign soldiery.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure No.
1.—Translation.]
The Chinese
plenipotentiaries to Sir Ernest
Satow.
The allied forces are about to be gradually withdrawn from Peking, and as
the place will then be empty of troops we have memorialized the throne
asking for the transfer to Peking of General Chiang Kuei-ti and 3,000
troops, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, from the governor of
Shantung’s command, to take over the policing of the city. Yesterday we
addressed a communication to the doyen of the diplomatic body, stating
this and requesting his excellency to inform the diplomatic
representatives in order that instructions might be sent to the allied
commanders along the route (of the Shantung troops) not to hinder their
approach. These troops are now at Ho-chien Fu, and it is proposed that
they shall proceed via Kao-yang to Paoting, and then take the railway to
Peking, where (it is proposed) to station them in two places, both of
which are to be in the quarter administered by Japan and are not
occupied by Japanese or other foreign troops. These two places are the
empty inclosures formerly occupied by the Shen Chi Ying (Pekin field
force) in the Pei hsiao Chieh (North Small street) off the Tung-Chih men
main road, and Shih-hu hu-tung (Stone Tiger lane) off the Tê-sheng men
main road.
We have the honor accordingly to inform your excellency and to express an
earnest hope that you will confer with your colleagues at an early date
and favor us with a reply as soon as possible, in order that we may send
a dispatch to General Chiang instructing him to set his forces in
motion, and that we may fix definitely with the railway company the date
of the required trains.
[Inclosure No.
2.—Translation.]
Mr. de Cologan to
the Chinese Plenipotentiaries.
Your Highness and Your Excellency: I have the
honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated June 17, informing
me that the Emperor had ordered sent from Shantung Gen. Chiang Kuei-ti
with the 3,000 soldiers, which he commands, to encamp them on the
territory of the capital.
You add that the corps has already commenced its march, that it is at
present at Ho-chien Fu, and that you have the intention to have it
advance still farther.
In reply to this communication I have the honor to inform you, in the
name of the diplomatic corps, that until new orders, no movement of
Chinese troops can be made toward the capital.
I have, etc.,
