Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, August 21,
1903.
No. 1372.
Sir: Referring to my No. 779, of October 10,
1901, I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a note received by
the dean of the diplomatic corps from Prince Ch’ing, advising that
henceforth foreign merchants will not be permitted to buy property in
Peking for dwellings or to establish places of business thereon. He says
that since the occupation of Peking by the allied forces in 1900 such
purchases have been agreed to by the Chinese officials as an exceptional
arrangement, but that since conditions are now settled the old
regulations ought once more to obtain, and such exceptional arrangements
will no longer be made. * *
My own opinion is that it were better not to formally agree to their
request nor to so flatly reject it as to compel a direct and definite
determination. I have, therefore, since the note is addressed to the
dean only, thought best to make no reply at present, but leave the
matter open for such future discussion as events may require.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Prince Ch’ing to the
dean of the diplomatic
corps.
I have the honor to call your excellency’s attention to the fact that
Peking is not by any means a treaty port. According to the treaties,
it was originally agreed that merchants of the various nationalties
should not be permitted to purchase houses, reside, or establish
business houses here.
Since the coming of the allied forces to Peking in 1900, the
merchants of their several nationalities have followed them here,
have bought houses and opened places
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of business in great number. Moreover, some
have sent the deeds to the places bought, transmitting them through
their ministers in Peking to our board to be forwarded to the
prefect of Shun-t’ien Fu with fees for his seal, and our board has
in each case made an exceptional arrangement and consented, but now,
the general aspect of affairs being settled, we ought naturally to
return to the old regulation, so as to conform to the requirements
of the treaties, and we must therefore clearly state that henceforth
merchants of the various powers will not be permitted to buy any
more property in Peking for dwellings or to establish places of
business, and should there be any additional purchases of property
and request be made for official stamping of the deeds our board
will not again agree to any exceptional arrangement in the
matter.
As in duty bound, I send this dispatch to your excellency, the dean,
and hope that you will transmit it to the various ministers for
their information that they may generally instruct the merchants of
their several nationalities to take note thereof.
A necessary dispatch.
Kuanghsu, twenty-ninth year, sixth moon,
15th Day (August 7, 1903).
