[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
# CHINA.
34535
[September 6.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
## SECTION 1.
FILED 18 SEP 06
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
Foreign Office, September 6, 1906.
In continuation of my despatches No. 260, Confidential, of the 7th ultimo, and of the 31st ultimo, I desire to add a few words in regard to the status of British missionaries in China.
In the archives of His Majesty's Legation at Peking you will find the draft of a despatch addressed by Sir Ernest Satow to my predecessor (No. 311 of the 3rd September, 1903), inclosing copy of a Circular to His Majesty's Consuls in China on the subject of the intervention of missionaries between their converts and the Chinese authorities.
It was pointed out in the Circular that missionaries are not accredited agents of the British Government for the enforcement of the Treaty of Tien-tsin, and that Article VIII of that Treaty was not intended to confer upon missionaries any right of intervention on behalf of native Christians. There is no objection, however, to a missionary addressing the local Chinese authorities directly on any matter affecting him personally—such as, for instance, a robbery that has been committed at his house, or any similar private affair. On all other occasions when it may be necessary to appeal to the Chinese authorities, the proper course is for the missionary to lay the matter of the case before the Consul of the district in which he resides, who, after due investigation, will make such representations to the Chinese authorities as the case may require.
The danger attending the practice which prevails among French missionaries in China of themselves approaching the Chinese authorities for the purpose of discussing with them and arranging cases which have arisen between French missions or their converts and other natives, was clearly demonstrated in the case of the riot which took place on the 25th February last at Nanchang, when six French citizens were killed and three British subjects lost their lives.
The interference of missionaries between converts and their own authorities is distasteful, not only to Chinese officials, but to the people generally, and it is not too much to say that it gives rise to more irritation and ill-feeling than any other cause of difference between foreigners and natives. It also leads to disputes of a most unsatisfactory character between the missionaries of different denominations, a result which can only tend to retard the progress of Christianity in China.
It appears to me that the time has now arrived when publicity may usefully be given to the Circular of the 31st August, 1903, and for this purpose I request that you will instruct His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae to give a copy to the press in that city, so that the terms of the Circular may become widely known. The publication is likely to be welcomed by the missionaries themselves, or to have a good effect on Chinese opinion.
Copy of Sir E. Satow's despatch No. 311 of the 3rd September, 1903, and of its enclosure, is annexed for convenience of reference.
I am, &c.
(Signed) EDWARD GREY.
[2146 F-1]
642
ocument is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
OF CHINA.
34535
[September 6.]
IDENTIAL.
Rect
SECTION 1.
TRE 18 SEP 06
No. 1.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.
Foreign Office, September 6, 1906. ontinuation of my despatches No. 260, Confidential, of the 7th ultimo, and of the 31st ultimo, I desire to add a few words in regard to the status of Bries in China.
the archives of His Majesty's Legation at Peking you will find the draft of a addressed by Sir Ernest Satow to my predecessor (No. 311 of the 3rd Sep- 1903), inclosing copy of a Circular to His Majesty's Consuls in China on the of the intervention of missionaries between their converts and the Chinese les.
was pointed out in the Circular that missionaries are not accredited agents of tish Government for the enforcement of the Treaty of Tien-tsiu, and that VIII of that Treaty was not intended to confer upon missionaries any right of tion on behalf of native Christians. There is no objection, however, to a ary addressing the local Chinese authorities directly on any matter affecting personally-such as, for instance, a robbery that has been committed at his or any similar private affair. On all other occasions when it may be necessary al to the Chinese authorities, the proper course is for the missionary to lay the the case before the Consul of the district in which he resides, who, after due stion, will make such representations to the Chinese anthorities as the case faire.
de danger attending the practice which prevails among French missionaries in of themselves approaching the Chinese authorities for the purpose of discussing em and arranging cases which have arisen between French missions or their (converts and other natives, was clearly demonstrated in the case of the riot ook place on the 25th February last at Nanchang, when six French citizens were and three British subjects lost their lives.
Be interference of missionaries between converts and their own authorities is ustasteful, not only to Chinese officials, but to the people generally, and it is too much to say that it gives rise to more irritation and ill-feeling than any Sause of difference between foreigners and natives. It also leads to disputes of difying character between the missionaries of different denominations, a result can only tend to retard the progress of Christianity in China.
appears to me that the time has now arrived when publicity may usefully be the Circular of the 31st August, 1903, and for this purpose I request that you struct His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae to give a copy to the press in that the terms of the Circular may become widely known. The publication fail to be welcomed by the missionaries themselves, or to have a good effect mese opinion.
Copy of Sir E. Satow's despatch No. 311 of the 3rd September, 1903, and of its re, is annexed for convenience of reference.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
EDWARD GREY.
2146 f-1]
642
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