893.00/3448
The Consul General at Tientsin (Fuller) to the Secretary of
State
Tientsin, July 19,
1920.
[Received August 17.]
No. 254
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
copies of my despatches Nos. 214 and 21724 sent to the Legation
today, together with copies
[Page 449]
of the correspondence of the Consular Body, in regard to
protection of the railway, foreign concessions, and city of Tientsin
during the present disturbances.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure 1]
The Senior Consul at Tientsin
(Ker)25
to the Civil Governor of Chihli
(Tsao
Jui)
Your Excellency: I am requested by the
Consular Body to state that they have received reports that
fighting is proceeding within a short distance of Tientsin, and
they are apprehensive lest the safety of the city and of the
foreign concessions may be endangered if troops of either side
approach still nearer Tientsin.
In view of this danger and in consideration of the provisions of
the agreement of 190226 whereby the
Chinese Government undertook that no troops should approach or
be stationed within a limit of twenty li
from the foreign garrisons of Tientsin, the Consular Body would
be pleased to know what measures are being taken to ensure that
the above provisions are not infringed.
The same request is being conveyed by wireless telegraphy through
the Dean of the Diplomatic Body to the military authorities of
the opposing party.
With assurances [etc.]
[Enclosure 2]
The Senior Consul at Tientsin
(Ker) to the Senior Military
Commander at Tientsin (Minami)27
[Tientsin,] July 16, 1920.
Sir: I am directed by the Consular Body
to forward herewith copy of a communication addressed today to
H. E. the Civil Governor, and to request you to consider with
your Colleagues what concerted action might be taken by the
foreign military contingents to ensure the safety of the city
and the foreign Concessions, having in view the zone laid down
in July, 1902.
I have [etc.]
[Page 450]
[Enclosure 3]
Circular No. 19 of the Senior Consul at
Tientsin (Ker)
The Senior Consul has the honour to circulate for the information
of His Honourable Colleagues an original Note from the Civil
Governor in reply to the Note from the Consular Body of
yesterday.
Although the fighting is now very close to Tientsin the
Governor thoroughly appreciates the importance of observing
the provisions laid down in the Agreement of 1902 with
reference to the 20 li zone, and
instructions have been given to the Military Authorities to
observe them strictly. Instructions have also been issued
for joint action on the part of the Officers administering
Martial Law and the Police with a view to ensuring the
safety of the Foreign and Chinese populations and the
preservation of peace.
The Governor recognises the correctness of the message
conveyed by the Consular Body to the Authorities of the
Opposing Forces, through the Diplomatic Body at Peking, and
does not doubt that those Forces will recognise the
responsibility thus imposed upon them.
The Senior Consul is sending a copy of this Consular [circular] to the Senior Military
Commander for his information.
[Enclosure 4]
The Senior Military Commander at
Tientsin (Minami) to the Senior
Consul at Tientsin (Ker)
Sir: I beg to acknowledge receipt of
your letter dated 16th July, 1920. A Meeting of the Foreign
Power Commandants was held this morning and the following
decision arrived at.
The positions as shown on the attached map28 will
be taken up by the respective Commandants in the event of an
emergency. When you consider that the emergency has arisen it is
requested that you will inform me.
I should be glad if you would inform me as soon as possible in
the event of these positions being taken up what steps should be
taken by the Military to enforce the provisions of the protocol.
The points at issue are, (1) Disarming, (2) Interning the Use of
Armed Force.
I have [etc.]
[Page 451]
[Enclosure 5]
The Senior Consul at Tientsin
(Ker) to the Senior Military
Commander at Tientsin (Minami)
[Tientsin,] July 18, 1920.
Sir: I am directed by the Consular Body
to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th July,
enclosing map of the positions proposed to be occupied by
foreign troops in case of an emergency being notified to you by
the Consular Body.
In view of the tenour of the Civil Governor’s reply of which a
precis has been communicated to you,
showing that the Chinese Authorities assume full responsibility
under the provisions of the agreement of 1902 regarding the
20-li zone, the Consular Body is of
the opinion that, after providing fully for safeguarding the
railway and protecting the foreign settlements, including
possibly the ex-Austrian and ex-German Concessions, it will not
be necessary to maintain the line of defence shown on your map,
unless Military Commandants consider this essential to the
safeguarding of the railway and the protection of the foreign
settlements.
I have [etc.]
