This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL
[2708]
No. 1.
[January 25.]
SECTION C.0. 22 7780 A MAR 08.
(No. 574.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received January 25, 1908.)
Peking, December 10, 1907.
WITH reference to my despatch No. 477 of the 3rd October, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a despatch which I have received from Mr. Werner, His Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang, respecting the outbreak which took place in the Kanehow district of the Province of Kiangsi in the summer and early autumn of this year.
It would appear from this report that, but for the energy displayed by the local Taotai, Chiang Yu-ch'ang, the outbreak would have attained much more serious dimensions, and I have approved Mr. Werner's wise precaution in securing that official's retention in the district at a time when his presence was essential and he was about to be transferred elsewhere.
There has been considerable divergence of opinion as to the cause of the outbreak, one influential newspaper report denying that it was in any way connected with Boxerism, or that there was anything in the nature of sedition in the province. This view does not, however, appear to agree with that of the missionaries on the spot, who speak the language and are in daily contact with the people. From their letters, it is clear that they consider the outbreak to have been the work of Boxers, and one of them states that "rebellion was the ultimate aim of the Boxers." The Governor himself admits that "the troops had difficulty in coping with the rebels," and a Minister of the Wai-wu Pu has, in conversation with me, frequently alluded to the disturbed condition of the south of the Province of Kiangsi. You will see, also, that Mr. Werner states that he cannot take an optimistic view of the future peace of Kiangsi.
I would draw your attention to Mr. Werner's remarks in regard to the modest claims of the Protestant missionaries arising out of the disturbances, and to the good effect which the resultant friendly settlement has produced.
I have, &c.
(Signed) J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
(No. 35.) Sir,
Consul Werner to Sir J. Jordan.
Kiukiang, November 27, 1907.
WITH reference to my telegrams Nos. 18 to 23 and 25 of the 28th, 29th, and 30th September, and the 2nd and 4th ultimo, on the outbreak of Boxerism in the south of this province, I have the honour to report that in July and August last information began to be sent to me by missionaries residing in the Kanchow district that preparations were being made for an uprising of an anti-dynastic and anti-foreign character, the 15th day of the 8th moon being named as the day appointed for the killing of the native officials and extermination of the foreign missionaries.
As these reports included letters from Rev. and Mrs. Horne, whom I knew to be people who would not take alarm without good reason, I thought it advisable to communicate with the Governor of Kiangsi, requesting him to take immediate steps to suppress the Boxerism, and make certain the safety of the foreign missionaries. He replied that he had ordered the extermination of the Boxers, and protection of the missionaries.
As far as I can learn, he had received reports of a probable uprising, but had relied upon the local forces being adequate to prevent any disturbance which might occur from assuming serious proportions or spreading to other districts. That there may have been some warrant for this belief is to be inferred from the praiseworthy energy shown by the local Taotai, Chiang Yü-ch'ang, who, at the head of his forces, went out to attack the Boxers in those places where they were most aggressive, and adopted the salutary measure of freely beheading those captured—as many as 300 being beheaded on one occasion.
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