CO129-372 - Public Offices - 1910 — Page 178

...

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

AFFAIRS OF CHINA.

CONFIDENTIAL.

со

M85195

RECPION 3. REGo 18 JUN 10

(18219]

No. 1.

(No. 141.) Sir,

Mr. Mar Müller to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 23.)

Peking, May 5, 1910. WITH reference to my despatch No. 119 of the 21st ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a note which I have received from the Wai-wu Pu, expressing deep regret that the recent riots at Changsha should have involved the destruction of foreign property, and satisfaction that no foreign lives were lost in the disturbances.

In my reply, copy of which is also enclosed, I have thanked the Wai-wu Pu for their communication, and have stated that I shall not fail to convey these expressions of regret and satisfaction to His Majesty's Government.

I have, &c.

W. G. MAX MÜLLER.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1.

Wai-wu Pu to Mr. Max Müller.

Sir,

April 23, 1910. I HAVE the honour to inform you that I am in receipt of the following telegram of the 20th iustant from the Hukuang Viceroy and the Hunan Governor :---

"During the present riots of the starving populace it has been ascertained that the following (foreign) premises were burnt down: The American Church Mission, the Hsin I Hui, the Roman Catholic Mission, the wharves, hulk and godowns of Messrs. Butterfield and Swire, the hulk and godowns of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., the Women's Hospital at Li Chia P'o, the residence of the Japanese consul, and the China Inland and Wesleyan Missions. The following premises were sacked: those of the American firm, the Standard Oil Company; of the British firm, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co.; of the German firm, Messrs. Arnhold, Karberg, and Co.; of the Japanese firms, Tung Hsin and the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha, and, lastly, of the Japanese post office. The missions along the Pao Nan and Fu Ch'ing streets and at the Tien Hsin Ko, the schools and hospital of the Yale Mission at the West P'ai Lou, the hospital of the same mission in the Nan Chêng Street, and the T'an Chia T'ang Hospital were carefully guarded by soldiers, and suffered no damage. All foreign missionaries, officials, and merchants were escorted on board steamers, together with their families, or escaped in boats, and have now all arrived safely in Hankow. We have issued orders to our subordinates for their fullest protection.'

We most deeply regret that the present riots of the starving populace in Hunan province, when numerous government buildings and schools were burnt down, should have involved foreign missions and mercantile property. It is some small degree of comfort to us that all foreign missionaries, officials, and merchants have effected their escape in safety. I shall not fail to notify your Excellency of any telegrams received by my board containing the result of the investigations of the Hukuang Viceroy and Hunan Governor, and of the action taken by them, and in the meanwhile I desire to convey to you this expression of my deepest regrets.

I avail, &c.

Prince CHING

and Ministers of the Wai-wu Pu.

[2751 - -3]

176