meeting of the diplomatic corps yesterday, and upon information furnished in a letter from the Catholic bishop in Pekin, and verbal reports by the other ministers, the situation was considered so grave that the corps unanimously instructed the dean to present it to the Tsungli Yamen and demand immediate and effective measures, which he did to-day by the note, copy of which is inclosed. I also inclose copies of the bishop's letter and one from Reverend Mr. Killie, an American missionary who lives in Pekin but travels a circuit to the north and east. On the 18th instant during an extended personal interview with the Tsungli Yamen I called their attention to the fact that notwithstanding constant warnings from this and other legations the "Boxers" had continually increased and spread until now they are boldly organizing inside the wall of Pekin, the existence of thousands is known in the villages around Pekin, Christian converts are being persecuted and threatened everywhere, many forced to recant their religious professions, and some have been compelled to abandon their chapels and come to Pekin for safety. I said: At a London mission near Chou Chow, 40 miles west of Pekin, 2 native Christians have been killed and their chapel destroyed. Near Paotingfu a Catholic village has been destroyed and 61 Christians murdered, some of them being burned alive. The foreign Governments can not longer sit idly by and witness this persecution and murder. I can only speak for my own Government, but it is becoming very impatient over China's continued treaty violation. It always has been, and still is, the good friend of China, and only wishes it prosperity, but it is now more than ever determined to sustain the treaty rights of all American citizens and of the Christian converts, and it will hold the Chinese Government to the strictest responsibility for every treaty infraction in this regard. It will do this, not only for the benefit of its own citizens, but in the interest of China herself, whose Government is now sadly threatened by these lawless organizations. At present, it is true, they seem to have no capable leader, but should one arise, and the populace become really inflamed, the overthrow of the present dynasty is most likely to follow, and possibly the destruction of the Empire, etc. They replied that I did not understand the many difficulties under which they labored, but they had succeeded in suppressing the "Boxers" in the province of Shantung, and would do so here. I told them that I saw no effective measures whatever being put forth. They replied that the movement had not heretofore been looked upon as serious; but that now the Throne was fully aware of the gravity of the situation and that a recent confidential decree had been sent to the Viceroy, the Pekin and neighboring officials, which would surely prove effective, suppress the "Boxers," and restore order. I told them that the most alarming telegrams were being sent to the newspapers of Europe and America of the existing state of anarchy here, and that the people of the world would be forced to believe that the Government of China was either abetting these murderous brigands, or that it was too weak to suppress or control them, and its good name and credit must suffer irretrievably in consequence. After reading me the decree, which was much like those heretofore published, they asked me if I would not wire my Government that they could and were suppressing the "Boxers." I replied that at present I would not; that I had been for six months telegraphing the issuance of ineffective decrees, but if they would show me the fact by actual and immediate repression, which they could if they would, in three days, I would gladly and quickly wire it to my Government. They assured me that sufficient troops had been sent to the disturbed districts te restore order and afford protection. I again told them that restored order would be the only possible proof. I also said that unless the situation was relieved and the threatening danger from mobs averted, I should be compelled to ask for a sufficient guard of American marines to insure the safety of the legation. They said: "Oh, don't do that; it is unnecessary." And again promising energetic action the interview closed. Unless some energetic action is taken the situation will become fraught with great danger to all foreigners, not from any intelligent or organized attacks, but from ignorant, inflamed mob violence. I, however, believe, as I said in my telegram, that the Government is aroused, itself alarmed at the situation, and will take more energetic action; but no one can be certain of this until it is done. Since the U. S. S. Wheeling had already left Taku, I deemed it prudent to ask the admiral for the presence of another war vessel, and, responding to the request, Admiral Kempff, with the Newark, sailed hither from Yokohama on the 19th instant and should arrive soon. I have the honor to be, etc., [Inclosure 1.] E. H. CONGER. The Diplomatic Body to the Tsungli Yamen. The Prince and Ministers: PEKIN, May 21, 1900. I have the honor to communicate to your highness and your excellencies the text of a resolution prepared yesterday by the representatives of the foreign powers accredited to Pekin. "The diplomatic body, relying upon the imperial decrees already published, which have ordered the dissolution of the 'Boxers,' demand: "First. The arrest of all persons practicing the drills of that association, provoking disturbances upon the public highway; posting, printing, or distributing placards which may contain threats against foreigners. "Second. The arrest of owners or guardians of temples or other places where the 'Boxers' assemble, and the treatment of these accomplices and criminal abettors as 'Boxers' themselves. "Third. The chastisement of the public officials who may render themselves culpable by neglecting to suppress any disorder with which they are charged, or who may connive with the rioters. "Fourth. The execution of the authors of outrages (murders, incendiarism, etc.) against persons or property. "Fifth. The execution of persons who are supporting and directing the 'Boxers' in the present disturbances. "Sixth. The publication in Pekin, in Chihli, and the other northern provinces of proclamations bringing these measures to the knowledge of the people.' I am, besides, charged by the diplomatic corps to inform your highness and your excellencies that it expects a satisfactory reply to this demand without unnecessary delay. I improve the occasion to reiterate to your highness and your excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration. B. COLOGAN, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. [Inclosure 2.-Translation.] Bishop Favier to Mr. Pichon, French minister. APOSTOLIC VICARATE OF PEKIN AND NORTH CHINA, MR. MINISTER: From day to day the situation becomes more serious and threatening. In the prefecture of Paotingfu more than seventy Christians have been massacred; near Icheou, only three days ago, three neophytes have been cut in pieces. Many villages have been pillaged and burned, a great many others have been completely abandoned. More than 2,000 Christians are fleeing, without bread, without clothing, without shelter. At Pekin alone, about 400 refugees-men, women, and children-are already lodged at our house and that of the Sisters; before eight days we will probably have many thousands. We will have to dismiss the schools, and the colleges also; use all the hospitals to make room for these unfortunate people. Upon the east of us pillage and incendiarism are imminent; we are hourly receiving the most alarming news. Pekin is surrounded on all sides; the "Boxers" are daily coming nearer the capital, delayed only by the destruction which they are making of the Christians. Believe me, I pray you, Mr. Minister, that I am well informed and say nothing lightly. Religious persecution is only one object. The real purpose is the extermination of Europeans, a purpose which is clearly set forth and written upon the banners of the "Boxers." Their associates await them at Pekin, where they will begin by attacking the churches and finish with the legations. For us here at Pekin, the day is practically ended. All the city knows it; everybody is speaking of it, and a popular outbreak is manifest. Yesterday evening forty-three poor women and their children, flying from the massacre, arrived at the house of the Sisters. More than five hundred persons accompanied them, saying to them, that if they escaped this once they would soon die with others. Mr. Minister, I do not speak to you of placards without number which are posted in the city against Europeans in general. Each day new ones appear more explicit than the others. Those who, thirty years ago, were present at the Tientsin massacre are struck with the resemblance of the situation then to that of to-day; the same - placards, the same threats, the same warnings, and the same blindness. Then also, as to-day, the missionaries wrote and supplicated, foreseeing the horrible awakening. Under these circumstances Mr. Minister, I believe it my duty to ask you to kindly send at least forty or fifty marines to protect our persons and our property. This has been already done under circumstances much less critical, and I hope you will take into consideration our humble prayer. Please accept Mr. Minister, the assurances of the respect and the profound gratitude with which I have the honor to be Your excellency's very humble and obedient servants, ALF. FAVIER, Bishop Apostolic Vicar at Pekin. S. JARLIN, Bishop Coadjutor. G. GUILLOUX, Vicar-General. [Inclosure 3.] Mr. Killie to Mr. Conger. LING SHAN, SAN HO COUNTY (35 miles east of Pekin), May 16, 1900. DEAR SIR: I have delayed giving you the list of villages in this district where the "I Ho C'huan" (or T'uan) is in active operation, until I could verify, beyond question, the statements heretofore made concerning the same. I am now prepared with proof to show that the members of that organization practice ("lien") practically daily in each of the following thirteen places, viz: (1) San Ho City, the county seat. (2) Ling Shan, a village 35 li northwest of San Ho City, where the Presbyterian mission owns twenty "chien" of improved native buildings, and where two American missionaries spend the most of their time. Here the "Boxers" come to our very doors to practice, and I have personally seen them at it twice. (3) Chang Ko Chuang. (4) C'heng Kuan Ying. (5) Shi Kuan Ying. (6) T'ao Chung Tsi. (7) C'hu T'ou. (8) Tsung Chia Tien. (9) Siao Sung Ko Chuang. (10) Siao T'sui Ko Chuang. (11) Chia Kuan Ying. (12) Siao Koo Hsien Chuang, where the American Presbyterian has a boarding school for girls and where there is also located one foreign lady missionary evangelist. (These places are all in the neighborhood of Ling Shan, our headquarters.) (13) Pao Ti Hsien, the county seat, one hundred li to the southeast of this place, where we have had a native evangelist at work for over a year. At this place great numbers of men (said to be as many as two or three hundred) practice openly every day. It is only recently that open threats of violence have been made against the foreign missionaries here and against the native Christians, but they are now almost of daily occurrence. For example, at the sixth village mentioned above, T'sao Chuang Tsi, 8 li from this place, where every evening the people from several villages meet to practice the I Ho C'huan maneuvers, on the 12th instant, Mr. Wang T'ing Hsiang, one of the owners of the ground where the practising is done, forbade one of our evangelists, who is a native of that place, to come where they were practicing, saying to him, among other threatening things, that they were preparing to destroy the foreigners at Ling Shang, and their followers, the native Christians. Furthermore, yesterday, May 14, when two of our native preachers went to the San Ho yamen with a letter from me to the official, they were recognized as Christian evangelists and followed by people to the yamen, and repeatedly threatened with death. There were many calls for knives to kill them with. The official was absent from the city, so they did not see him. They actually suffered no physical violence, but that was doubtless only because of their own patience and forbearance. All about us men are actively stirring up feeling against us by saying that we are poisoning the wells, and many villages have already purchased native medicine to put into the wells to counteract the effect of the supposed poison. The recent rains which you have had in Pekin have not reached this part of the country, and hence, as no farming can be done, the people are idle and distressed at having no crops, and consequently easily misled by the designing men who are so actively propagating this society. The I Ho Chuan is spreading like wildfire all over this district. Where two. months ago it was practically unknown, today there are scores of active societies, which are rapidly becoming aggressive ones, and unless your excellency can secure the immediate and vigorous action of the Chinese Government in suppressing it and in punishing a few ringleaders, it is certain (humanly speaking) that it is only a question of a very short time until there will be a violent uprising in all this district. I believe that it is not yet too late to suppress it if taken hold of in earnest by the Chinese officials; but in my judgment (and I have passed through several such experiences in my ten or more years in China) there is not a day to spare. Praying your excellency's kindly offices on our behalf, I am, your obedient servant, CHARLES A. KILLIE. P. S.-Any message sent to me in care of Rev. John Wherry, D. D., will be promptly forwarded to me. C. A. K. Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.] PEKIN, May 26, 1900. Situation unchanged. If it is necessary, and the other powers bring them to Pekin, can I arrange with the admiral for legation_guards? CONGER. Mr. Hill to Mr. Conger. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, If required for safety of legation, confer with admiral about sending guards for your protection. Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.] HILL, Acting. PEKIN, May 28, 1900. Boxers increasing. Nine Methodist converts brutally murdered at Pachow. The movement has developed into open rebellion. Chinese Government is trying but apparently is unable to suppress it. Many soldiers disloyal. Several railroad bridges and stations near Pekin burned. Legations have ordered guards. Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.] CONGER. PEKIN, June 1, 1900. Three hundred fifty English, Russian, French, Japanese, Italian, and American guards arrived last night, materially quieting the situation Boxers are still active in the country. in Pekin. CONGER. No. 383.] Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Pekin, China, June 2, 1900. (Received October 24, 1900.) SIR: I have the honor to confirm on the overleaf my telegrams of May 26, 28, and June 1, and Department's telegram of May 261, and to say that Captain McCalla, of the U. S. S. Newark, arrived here last night at 8 o'clock with 50 marines and an automatic gun. There came also, on the same train, a Russian guard of 75 men, English, 75; French, 75; Italian, 40, and Japanese, 25. German and Austrian contingents are expected tomorrow. Since my despatch No. 376, of May 21 last, and in reply to the demand of the diplomatie corps, copy of which was inclosed therein, the Tsungli Yamen, on the 27th ultimo, complied with our request and reported the required decree published and the necessary measures taken which it was believed would suppress the Boxers. But, to the consternation of all, on Monday, the 28th, word came that the railroad was attacked, two bridges and two stations burned on the Paoting-fu 'Printed ante. |