Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, October 16,
1901.
No. 779.]Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
translations of correspondence between the foreign office and this
legation upon the question
[Page 120]
of
the continued residence in Peking of foreign merchants who located here
during its occupation by the allied forces. * * *
The treaties do not permit the residence of any foreign merchants in the
city of Peking, but several years ago permission was given for the
opening of stores here by a Dane, a German, and a Frenchman for the
especial accommodation of the legations, but their trade soon developed
into a very large business with the Chinese. The Hongkong and Shanghai
and the Russo-Chinese banks have also been established here for several
years, so that the city has, in fact, by precedent at least, been opened
to special if not to general trade.
It is true that the banks and stores mentioned are located within the
limits of the legation quarter, but their business extends throughout
the city. I have consequently, as have most of my colleagues, thought
best to keep the question open, with the hope that its final settlement
would result in opening the city generally to foreign trade. Further
action will be promptly reported.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Prince Ch’ing to Mr.
Conger.
Last year after the military disasters it became common for merchants
of various foreign nationalities to rent or seize houses in all
parts of the city and open shops. The allied forces being in
possession and control and the local administration not having been
handed back, the circumstances were not those of ordinary times, but
now that peace negotiations are concluded and friendly relations
reestablished, seeing that Peking is not in the list of treaty
ports, the shops and hongs established by these foreign merchants
ought all be removed to the treaty ports in accordance with the
treaty stipulations.
Should there be any who had put buildings in repair, they ought also
to take these away immediately, and in order to avoid complications
there ought to be no pretext of demanding compensation.
As in duty bound I send this dispatch to your excellency, that on
examination you may issue orders accordingly.
Kuanghsu, twenty-seventh year, eighth
moon, 22d day (October 4, 1901).
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Conger to
the President and Ministers of the board of
foreign affairs.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, October 10, 1901.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the dispatch of your
highness and your excellencies, dated, the 4th instant,. in which
you call attention to the fact that during the military occupation
of Peking this past year many merchants of various nationalities
seized or rented houses in different parts of the city and opened
shops. You say that the conditions then were exceptional, but that
now that the peace negotiations are concluded these shops and hongs
ought to remove to the treaty ports in accordance with the treaty
stipulations, etc.
In reply I beg to say that I am informed that merchants and other
business men of various nationalities have already been given
permission to carry on business in Peking.
If this information be correct, then, of course, citizens of the
United States have the same right. But if all foreign business is to
be excluded from the city, then the United States merchants, if
there are any, will be instructed to go out with the others.
[Page 121]
I, however, take the liberty to incidentally suggest to your highness
and your excellencies that the present is a most opportune time for
the Chinese Government to voluntarily place the city on the basis of
a treaty port.
Peking should be the great and convenient entrepot for the vast and
populous territory behind it, and if so opened Chinese revenue would
be increased thereby, the recently reestablished peace and friendly
intercourse would be strengthened, and mutual benefits result.
I avail myself, etc.,
