893.00/3498
The Minister in China (Crane) to the Secretary of
State
Peking, August 2,
1920.
[Received September 17,
1920.]
No. 66
Sir: There are enclosed herewith, as of
interest to the Department, copies of certain recent correspondence,
newspaper clippings, etc., on the question of asylum in the
Diplomatic Quarter in Peking,38 which has been
actively discussed in the Diplomatic Body and by the newspapers.
I have [etc.]
For the Minister:
A. B.
Ruddock
[Enclosure 1]
The American Minister in China
(Crane) to the Dean of the
Diplomatic Corps in China (Boppe)
Excellency and Dear Colleague: I have
been giving much thought to the question of harboring political
refugees in the Legation Quarter, and I have come to the
conclusion that neither hotel, private residents nor Legations
should give refuge to the political leaders of either faction.
As regards the women and children who have moved into the Wagons
Lits Hotel or other localities in the Legation Quarter, I am
unalterably opposed to the proposition that they are to be
expelled from the Quarter. Any such measure would work
individual hardship and furthermore would tend to arouse
resentment against foreigners which might cause the injection of
an anti-foreign feeling into a situation already sufficiently
complicated.
I beg [etc.]
[Enclosure 2]
The American Minister in China
(Crane) to American Residents of the Diplomatic Quarter
in Peking
Gentlemen: Owing to the present
confused political situation I have decided that refuge should
not be given to Chinese men seeking to hide themselves in the
Legation Quarter. All Americans, therefore, who reside in the
Quarter are requested not to allow Chinese men from outside to
reside in their business offices or dwelling houses. As to
Chinese women and children, American residents in the Legation
Quarter may use their own discretion.
[Enclosure 3]
Reuter’s Agency Report in the “Peking &
Tientsin Times” July 29, 1920
The Diplomatic Corps held a Meeting to-day, and discussed the
question of refugees in the Legation Quarter, but did not reach
any decision. It is understood that the British, American, and
French Ministers are reminding their nationals in the Quarter
that in accordance with the Protocol, Chinese cannot reside
within the Legation Quarter, and if they are at present
harbouring any Chinese, they must be turned out within
forty-eight hours. This, of course, does not apply to the
Legations.
