2
It relates to the present boycott of American goods in China, and shows plainly that the movement is attended with some danger to missionaries living in the interior. As the Methodist Mission in this province is an American institution, the matter, as far as it concerns American citizens and the property of the Mission, primarily falls within the jurisdiction of the American Consul, but as I and my wife are British subjects, registered in the British Consulate at Foochow, I am obliged also to draw your attention to the matter.
It is not likely that if the mob element of Yenping and the other cities of the Prefecture be aroused that distinctions will be made between British and Americans. I will be much obliged if you will let me know what you think I had better do about returning to Yenping. My plans have been to start from Foochow early in September, travelling by boat. I had arranged to leave the boat myself at a point about two-thirds of the way to Yenping, my wife to proceed on in the boat to our home, while I myself made a tour to some of our stations in the county of lu Ki, in a few days reaching Yenping by land. If anti-foreign feeling has been aroused in Yenping City I should hesitate about my wife going there alone. It is very important that I should be in Yenping soon, and should not like to be prevented from reaching there. 1 think that 1 ought to let you know my plans. It would not be fair for me to take a journey involving any risk without first acquainting you of the same.
There is, however, another matter, the importance of which I must point out to you. These placards, announcing the boycott, which doubtless are worded in such a inanner as to stir up anti-foreign feeling (I regret that my correspondent has not furnished me with a copy of the same), have been posted up by the "Seng Sz" of the eity. This means that official approval has been given. This ought not to be allowed by the Magistrate. Yemping has a Taotai, a Prefect, and a County Magistrate.
I would be greatly obliged if you would communicate with the Magistrates of Yenping, pointing out to them that, by allowing these placards to be published, they have created a situation of considerable risk to the property of the Missionary Societies and to the persons of foreign residents in the city.
It is only seldom that I have to trouble the Consul of my nation. In all church matters I communicate with the American Consul, but in this matter, as there is danger of an undiscriminating anti-foreign feeling being stirred up in the city where I reside, I feel it my duty to draw your attention to the same.
Apologizing for so troubling you, I remain, &c.
(Translation.)
(Signed)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
CHARLES S. CHAMPNESS.
Letter from Native Preacher, Yenping.
ON the 26th of the 6th moon, in all the places of Yenping City, the Seng Sz" affixed to the walls of the city copies of a placard emanating from the Shanghae Boycott Committee, forbidding the purchase of American goods. Although these placards do not involve the church, yet the people of the city, when they see this Proclamation, say, "This is treating our fellow-countrymen in a most barbarous manner." They also say, "Mr. Main, Miss Hartford, and Miss Linum have appeared to be good people, but their goodness is false goodness." Others say, "Let us first prevent the sale of American If these goods and then drive out the Americans themselves and their converts." placards are posted up in Song Chions, Ciong Lok, Sa-going, Ing Ang, and other counties, there will be still further trouble for the churches.
As I hear these words, I cannot but fear that great trouble is coming for the churches. Please acquaint Miss Linum and Dr. Skinner with this, and carefully take what steps you think best to preserve the church, &c.
Your Excellency,
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Doyen of Consular Body to Tsung Shan.
American Embassy, Foochow, China, August 22, 1905.
IT has been brought to the notice of the various members of the Consular Body at this port by their nationals residing or travelling in the interior, that placards, announcing the boycott of American goods, have in several instances been so worded
3
571
as not merely to dissuade the people from purchasing goods of American origin, but to excite their feelings against foreigners generally.
Attention has been particularly drawn to those placards posted in the Yenping Prefecture, in the city and elsewhere, which are stated to be of such a nature that it is apprehended that at no distant date the popular passions they are arousing will find vent in outrages against foreigners and their property.
In this instance the local officials have not merely refrained from putting a stop to the publication of such dangerous documents, but it appears that they have stood by while the gentry of the prefectural city themselves were engaged in posting them up.
My object in this communication, as representative of the Consular Body, is to warn your Excellency of the serious consequences that must ensue if, under cover of the boycott, anti-foreign placards are allowed to be spread broadcast throughout the country, especially if official countenance is lent to it, as by the action of the gentry of Yenping City.
With the boycott of American goods this Consular Body has no concern, and whether the Chinese elect to purchase such goods or not is a matter of indifference to them, but they cannot view with the same indifference the serious danger to foreign life and property which must result from the popular excitement caused by the propaganda, and they deem it incumbent upon them to remind your Excellency of your personal responsibility in the matter.
I entertain no doubt whatever that your Excellency has every intention of affording full protection to all foreigners, but I would point out that a time must come sooner or later when popular feeling will get beyond control, and the officials, in spite of their best efforts, will be powerless to avert the catastrophe.
The fact that the propaganda in the interior is really due to a desire to spread a general anti-foreign movement, and not merely to the wish to boycott American goods, is amply evidenced by the fact that no boycott in the interior can be necessary, inasmuch as if the boycott is carried out goods will not get into the country at all, or in any case no further than the ports.
I trust, therefore, that your Excellency will take the necessary measures before it
is too late that you will instruct the officials throughout the Province of Fukien that no placards are to be posted up and no literature circulated which is calculated to stir up the people against foreigners, and incite them to excesses, I further trust that your Excellency will address a strong reprimand to the officials of Yenping City for having permitted the gentry to take an active part in the posting up of the placards, and will deal severely with those of the gentry who so unwarrantably lent their support. to the proceedings.
If this is done speedily it is hoped that any impending trouble may be averted; failing this we cannot but feel the gravest apprehensions for the future.
I may add that the various members of the Consular Body are reporting to their Ministers in Peking on this subject.
í take this opportunity to wish you joy and promotion.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
(Signed)
SAMUEL L. GRACEY, American Consul and
Doyen of the Consular Body.
N. SCHOUISKY,
His Russian Majesty's Consul.
T. NAKAMURA,
His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Consul.
L. FLAYELLE,
Consul for France.
BERTRAM GILES,
His Britannic Majesty's Consul,
J. C. OSWALD,
Her Netherland Majesty's Consul.
H. WINTZER,
His German Majesty's Acting Consul.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.