30
6
improbably in the present state of feeling give rise to a conflagration. Such a measure could not therefore be resorted to except as a final one after due naval and military preparations. It might also prompt the Chinese Government to come to terms if they are informed that the cost of the British patrol would be claimed from the Chinese Government, as was proposed by his Majesty's Minister in his interview with the Tsung-li Yamên on the 18th February, 1899. I am unaware whether this has been already done.
I have, &c. (Signed)
F. D. LUGARD.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[February 8.]
SECTION 2.
C.O. 7780
RECEIVED
0
[4353]
(No. 583.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 8, 1908.)
Peking, December 20, 1907.
4 MAR 08
IN continuation of my despatch No. 574 of the 10th instant, transmitting a report on the outbreak of Boxerism at Kanchow, in the Province of Kiangsi, I have the honour to forward to you herewith copy of a further despatch from His Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang respecting a threatened uprising in the district of Lo Ping, in the north-east of the same province.
Mr. Werner states that this threatened outbreak, which seems to have been an echo of the unrest in the Kanchow district, was immediately suppressed through the prompt action of the local District Magistrate.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
J. N. JORDAN.
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
(No. 36.) Sir,
Consul Werner to Sir J. Jordan.
Kiukiang, November 29, 1907.
WITH reference to my despatch No. 35 of the 27th instant, reporting on the recent outbreak at Kanchow, I have the honour to inclose copy of an extract from a letter dated the 12th October last from a missionary residing at Lo Ping, in the north-east of Kiangsi, respecting the threatened uprising in that district, which seems to have been an echo of the unrest in the Kanchow Prefecture, in the south of the province.
This is another illustration of the dangers which may arise from the existence of secret societies and the ill-feeling which often results from the interference of Roman Catholic priests in political and judicial matters.
The point especially deserving of notice in the present case is that what would probably have been a serious outbreak, involving much loss of life and property, was immediately suppressed through the prompt and fearless action of the local District Magistrate, Tson Chia-nien. By his firing on the mob, and promptly beheading the ringleaders of the movement, what would in all probability have grown into a serious local rebellion, in a district in which much animosity already exists between the various clans, was nipped in the bud, and peace quickly restored.
When in Nan Chang in March 1900 I was asked by his Excellency Hu Ting-kan, late Governor of Kiangsi, what measures I would suggest for preventing riots of the kind then under investigation. I replied that my opinion was that China should institute a Riot Act, and that if the soldiers stationed at the missions for the protection of the missionaries had shot down some of the rioters immediately they had looted the kerosene shops and approached the mission buildings, the massacre would not have occurred. He rejoined that this would involve the shooting of innocent people, whereupon I pointed out that many innocent missionaries had just been murdered, and it seemed to me that the shooting down of a rioter after warning was less objectionable than the torturing and killing of innocent missionaries by mob law and without warning. I think that the test to which this opinion has recently been put at Lo Ping warrants the expressed belief.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
E. T. C. WERNER.
[2846 h-2]
30
6
improbably in the present state of feeling give rise to a conflagration. Such a measure- could not therefore be resorted to except as a final one after due naval and military preparations. It might also prompt the Chinese Government to come to terms if they are informed that the cost of the British patrol would be claimed from the Chinese Government, as was proposed by his Majesty's Minister in his interview with the Tsung-li Yamên on the 18th February, 1899. am unaware whether this has been already done.
I have, &c. (Signed)
F. D. LUGARD.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[February 8.]
SECTION 2.
C.O.
7780
RECE
0
[4353]
(No. 583.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.--(Received February 8, 1908.)
Peking, December 20, 007. 4 MAR 08, IN continuation of my despatch No. 574 of the 10th instant, transmitting a report on the outbreak of Boxerism at Kanchow, in the Province of Kiangsi, I have the honour to forward to you herewith copy of a further despatch from His Majesty's Consul at Kiukiang respecting a threatened uprising in the district of Lo Ping, in the north-cast of the same province.
Mr. Werner states that this threatened outbreak, which seems to have been an echo of the unrest in the Kanchow district, was immediately suppressed through the prompt action of the local District Magistrate.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
J. N. JORDAN.
(No. 36.) Sir,
Consul Werner to Sir J. Jordan.
Kiukiang, November 29, 1907. WITH reference to my despatch No. 35 of the 27th instant, reporting on the recent outbreak at Kanchow, I bave the honour to inclose copy of an extract from a letter dated the 12th October last from a missionary residing at Lo Ping, in the north- east of Kinngsi, respecting the threatened uprising in that district, which seems to have been an echo of the unrest in the Kanchow Prefecture, in the south of the province.
This is another illustration of the dangers which may arise from the existence of secret societies and the ill-feeling which often results from the interference of Roman. Catholic priests in political and judicial matters.
The point especially deserving of notice in the present case is that what would probably have been a serious outbreak, involving much loss of life and property, was immediately suppressed through the prompt and fearless action of the local District Magistrate, Tson Chia-nien. By his firing on the mob, and promptly beheading the ringleaders of the movement, what would in all probability have grown into a serious local rebellion, in a district in which much animosity already exists between the various clans, was nipped in the bud, and peace quickly restored.
When in Nan Chang in March 1900 I was asked by his Excellency Hu Ting-kan, late Governor of Kiangsi, what measures I would suggest for preventing riots of the kind then under investigation. I replied that my opinion was that China should institute a Riot Act, and that if the soldiers stationed at the missions for the protection of the missionaries had shot down some of the rioters immediately they had looted the kerosene shops and approached the mission buildings, the massacre would not have occurred. He rejoined that this would involve the shooting of innocent people, whereupon I pointed out that many innocent missionaries had just been murdered, and it seemed to me that the shooting down of a rioter after warning was less objectionable than the torturing and killing of innocent missionaries by mob law and without warning. I think that the test to which this opinion has recently been put at Lo Ping warrants the expressed belief.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
E. T. C. WERNER.
[2846 h-2]
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