In my dispatch No. 30, of February 26, I stated that the foreign
representatives were prepared to make certain concessions along the western
side of the section they asked for. This is the quarter more particularly
occupied by the Chinese Government offices. Some compromise will certainly
be reached.
You will notice by referring to the plan sent in Mr. Conger’s No. 536, that
it is the British Government which wants most of the land now occupied by
Chinese governmental offices.
In connection with the question of the diplomatic quarter, I find to my great
regret that the resolution of the diplomatic body of November 6 last was
only sent you on the 4th of the present month in Mr. Conger’s No. 558. The
very unusual nature of this resolution, the principle of which I have great
difficulty in persuading myself to admit, makes me hope that you will give
me as soon as may be instructions for my guidance in its application.
[Inclosure No. 1 with dispatch No.
36.]
Translation of a memorandum presented by Prince
Ching and Li Hung-chang, conjointly, on the subject of the legation
quarter, dated March 2, 1901.
On the 1st instant we received a communication from the doyen,
accompanied by a plan, stating that the foreign Representatives had
decided upon the area to be set apart as legation quarter and defined
the four boundaries of the same; that the public offices and buildings
therein situated must be transferred elsewhere, and that the question of
compensating the Chinese inhabitants thereof, who must also remove
themselves and who are to be expiatoriated, is reserved for a subsequent
communication.
As regards the Chinese residing in this quarter, who have to remove
themselves elsewhere, it is, in the interest of justice and equity,
imperative that later on regulations for indemnifying them in respect of
their removal expenses and the value of their land be drawn up.
[Page 100]
In the memorandum of February 5, which we handed to you, we asked for
particulars as to where the legation quarter commenced and where it
ended. We stated that all offices and buildings situated therein ought
to be considered part of the same, and pointed out the necessity of
having a joint delimitation of its boundaries.
A careful perusal, however, of the plan accompanying the doyen’s
communication shows us that the Tang Tzu, important ground where the
Emperor is wont to sacrifice, has been included within the limits, which
also embrace the following public offices and buildings:
The Imperial clan court, the boards of civil office, revenue, rites, war
and works, the Mongolian Superintendency, the Hanlin College, the
Imperial Supervisorate of instruction, the Court of the Imperial stud
and of state Ceremonial, the Imperial Board of astronomy, the Carriage
park, the. Residence for the tributary envoys and the college devoted to
the students of the Hanlin Bachelors. All the above-named places are
essential to the carrying on of public business. Ever since Peking was
made the capital the various public offices have been established inside
the Cheng Yang Gate (Chien men), on the right and left of the Imperial
city. They are in immediate proximity to and form a circle round the
same.
Not only does the fact of their being adjacent (to the palace) facilitate
the dispatch of public business, but it is a question intimately
affecting the prestige and the dignity of the State. This arrangement
has remained without change throughout the Yuan and Ming dynasties—a
period of now more than five hundred years. The magnitude of the
building operations, and the number of public servants—high and low—have
also to be considered, and were a transfer insisted upon there would be
no other site available. Moreover, the Tang Tzu and these various public
offices and buildings are comparatively far away from the legations.
Regarded from a legation point of view, their exclusion from the
legation quarter would have no harmful results, whereas their inclusion
therein would defend the capital city of all that goes to constitute a
capital. The action proposed involves consequences of no trifling import
to the dignity of the state and the hope of the people.
Were we lightly and inconsiderately to acquiesce therein, it is to be
feared, that their Majesties, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor,
would, on their return, visit us with censure of the severest kind. It
is of a truth really impossible for us to take so heavy a load upon our
shoulders.
It is acordingly incumbent upon us to pray you in the terms of our former
memorandum, to agree to consider these buildings as not included in the
legation quarter.
To accede to our request would afford ample evidence that the foreign
ministers plenipotentiary are in sympathy with the sincere desire to
strengthen friendly relations, which animates our Government.
That you will do so is of a truth most fervently hoped by us.
