Mr. Rockhill to Mr.
Hay.
No. 140.]
Commissioner of
the United States to China,
Peking,
China, July 25,
1901.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your
information further correspondence between the dean of the diplomatic corps
and the Chinese plenipotentiaries concerning the ceremonial to be followed
at audiences with His Majesty the Emperor.
[Page 280]
In my dispatch No. 106, of June 4, I expressed the opinion that the question
would not be completely settled until after the Emperor’s return to Peking.
The demand which the Chinese plenipotentiaries seemed quite unable to grant
was that the representatives of the powers should be carried in sedan chairs
to the hall in which the audiences were to be given them. On the 10th
instant, however, the Chinese plenipotentiaries offered to compromise by
granting the foreign representatives the right to be borne to the foot of
the steps of the outer entrance of the audience hall in small palace sedan
chairs, a right enjoyed by no subject of the Emperor—not even by his father.
This has been accepted by the ministers (inclosure 3) and the question is
consequently closed.
The points conceded to the powers in the negotiations are embodied in the
memorandum which I inclose herewith.
* * * * * * *
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
140.—Translation.]
Prince Ching and Li
Hung-chang, etc., to Mr. de
Cologan.
Your Excellency: On the 2d of July we had the
honor to receive a communication (from the doyen) concerning the
ceremonial at audiences, in which it is stated that the foreign
representatives accept our proposal concerning the use of green chairs
with yellow trimmings. But as to the question of the foreign
representatives getting out of their sedan chairs at the Chien-ching
gate, it would seem that in this case there would not be sufficient
distinction made to the ceremonial in the case of visits of an heir to
the throne or a prince of the royal blood to Peking. Besides, the Chien
Ching gate is not far distant from the Chien-ching Kung, hence we still
find it inconvenient to memorialize the Throne in the matter.
If the foreign representatives can see their way to accept our former
proposal to leave their chairs outside of the Chien-ching gate, then
this will fully show that they are willing to make especial allowances
in the case, and not cause us to be placed in a difficult position; for
such a manifestation of kindness we would very gratefully remember. In
the event, however, of their not agreeing to this proposal we have to
say that, as an additional compromise, we propose that the foreign
representatives change chairs outside the Ching-yun gate, and proceed in
small chairs (i chiao) to the steps of the Chien-ching gate and there
alight. We may state that princes, dukes, or high ministers of state
have hitherto never been accorded this privilege. This will be treating
the foreign representatives with great courtesy.
As in duty bound, we address this communication to your excellency, and
will trouble you to again lay the matter before your colleagues for
their consideration and favor us with an early reply, so that it may be
shortly decided on.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
140.—Translation.]
Mr. de Cologan to
the Chinese Plenipotentiaries.
Highness and Excellency: In reply to your
letter of the 10th of this month of July, in which you propose that the
foreign ministers going to audiences with His Majesty the Emperor of
China should change their sedan chairs before going through the
Ching-yun gate and, leaving there those in which they had reached that
point, get into little sedan chairs borne by two bearers, who would
carry them to the foot of the steps of the Chien-ching gate, I have the
honor to inform you that the foreign representatives have declared
themselves satisfied with the proposal.
I avail, etc.,
[Page 281]
[Inclosure 3 in No.
140.—Translation.]
Memorandum on the ceremonies to be observed in
solemn audiences.
1. Solemn audiences given by His Majesty the Emperor of China to the
diplomatic corps or to separate representatives of the powers shall take
place in the hall of the palace called “Chien-ching Kung.”
2. In going to and returning from solemn audiences the representatives of
the powers shall be borne in their chairs to the outside of the
Ching-yun gate. At the Ching-yun gate they shall alight from the chairs
in which they have come and will be borne in small chairs (i chiao) to
the foot of the steps of the Chien-ching gate.
Arriving at the Chien-ching gate, the representatives of the powers shall
alight from their chairs and proceed on foot into the presence of His
Majesty in the Chien-ching Kung hall.
On leaving, the ministers shall return to their residences in the same
manner in which they came.
3. When a representative of a power shall have to present to His Majesty
the Emperor his letters of credence or a communication from the chief of
the state by whom he is accredited, the Emperor shall cause to be sent
to the residence of the representative a sedan chair with the yellow
trimmings and tassels, such as are used by princes of the Imperial
family, to convey him to the palace. He shall be reconducted in the same
manner.
An escort of troops will also be sent to the residence of the
representative to accompany him to and from the palace.
4. When presenting his letters of credence, or communications from the
Head of the State by whom he is accredited, the diplomatic
representative, while bearing said letters or communications, shall pass
through the central openings in the doors or gates in the palace until
he has reached the presence of His Majesty. On returning from such
audiences he shall comply, as regards the doors and gates through which
he may have to pass, to the usage already established at the court of
Peking for audiences given to foreign representatives.
5. The Emperor shall receive directly into his hands the above-mentioned
letters or communications which the diplomatic representatives may have
to give to him.
6. Should His Majesty the Emperor, at any time, see fit to invite the
representatives of the powers to a banquet, it is understood that such
banquet shall take place in one of the halls of the imperial palace, and
that His Majesty shall be present in person.
7. In a word, the ceremonial adopted by China toward foreign
representatives shall not, under any circumstances, be different from
that which results from perfect equality between the countries concerned
and China, without any loss of prestige on either side.
