he would soon recover his health that we might long employ him and lean upon him; but we have suddenly heard of his death, and are deeply shocked with grief. Let Liu K'un-yi receive additional favors; let him be raised posthumously to the ranks of baron of the first grade and grand tutor. In compliance with the custom observed on the death of viceroy, we contribute as a mark of sympathy the sum of 3,000 taels to the funeral expenses, to be paid out of the treasury at Nankin. We bestow also an altar of offerings, and depute the Tartar general at Nankin, Ê-lê-ch'un, to go and make the offering. We also bestow the posthumous title of Chung Ch'êng (loyal and sincere). Let him be entered for worship at the temple of worthies in the capital, and let temples be erected for his worship at Nankin, at his native place in Hunan, and in the provinces where he won distinction, and let the State historiographer prepare a record of his life, that his deeds may be made known. Let all penalties for errors in administration be canceled, and let the yamen concerned examine and report what further mark of sympathetic consideration he should receive. When his coffin shall be carried back to his native place, let the local officials along the route make satisfactor arrangements to care for it. Let Chang Chih-tung at once inquire and report how many sons and grandsons he left, and an edict will be issued later bestowing favors, so as to manifest our purpose to show sincere remembrance of a perfect minister. NOTE.-Liu K'un-yi was one of a number of Hunanese who greatly distinguished themselves during the T'ai-p'ing rebellion by their loyal services in behalf of the Imperial Government. Others from the same province were the two brothers Tsêng Kuo-fan (father of Marquis Tsêng) and Tsêng Kuo-ch'üan, both of whom also held at different times the post of viceroy at Nanking. Liu never took any literary degree above that of licentiate (provincial A. B.), but by his military successes he won the favor of the court and was gradually raised to the high rank of a governor-general. In 1861 he was appointed provincial judge of Kuangtung, the next year treasurer of Kiangsi, in 1865 governor of Kiangsi, and ten years later viceroy at Canton. In 1879 he was transferred to the most important post of viceroy at Nanking, but two years later was ordered to Peking, denounced, and, through the intrigues of his enemies, dismissed the service. In 1890 the Yangtze Valley was in a state of unrest, and Tseng Kuo-ch'uan having died in office at Nanking, the Government looked about for a strong man to succeed him. In their extremity they turned to Liu, who, though already well advanced in years, proved fully equal to the responsibilities of the post. It has been very largely due to his influence over the Hunanese that central China has been kept in comparative peace through the past ten years. During the Japanese war, when the defeat of the Chinese forces had thrown Peking into consternation, it was again to Liu that the Government turned for advice, and he was made generalissimo of the army. Fortunately for his reputation he was not compelled to fight, as peace negotiations were almost immediately entered into, and the war came to an end. He returned to his post at Nanking, and has continued there until his death. In the year 1900, when the "Boxer" madness was spreading terror into the north, he took steps to preserve the southeastern provinces from infection, and entered into the compact by which that portion of the Empire was saved from invasion by the foreign forces. His health has been failing for some years past, but he retained his mental vigor to the last. He died at the age of 74 years. Chang Chih-tung, who succeeds Liu at Nanking, is the well-known viceroy at Wuchang, opposite Hankow. He is between 60 and 70 years of age. Unlike his predecessor he is a man of great scholarship and has secured his advancement very largely through his literary attainments. He is a native of Chihli, the metropolitan province, and graduated with the doctor's degree in 1863, standing third in his class. He held various provincial offices and in 1884 became viceroy at Canton, from which post he was transferred to Wuchang in 1889 on account of his strong indorsement of the scheme for a railway from Peking, via Hankow, to Canton. While His Excellency Liu was in the north as generalissimo of the forces in 1894 and 1895, Chang was placed in temporary charge at Nanking, but with this exception he has remained at Wuchang, where he has distinguished himself by the introduction of various industrial and educational enterprises modeled on western patterns. Among these are the opening of mines, the purchase of a rolling mill, the equipment of a cotton mill, and the establishment of a military academy and an agricultural college. During the brief period in which the ill-fated reform party was in control of the Government he wrote a series of brilliant essays urging the adoption of the "new learning" as essential to the preservation of the State. These have since been translated into English and widely commented upon. * * * Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 10, 1902. (Mr. Hay directs Mr. Conger to convey to Chinese Government, on the occason of the death of Viceroy Liu K'un-yi, the assurance of the sincere sympathy of the Government of the United States.) Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. No. 1121.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to confirm Department's telegram of October 10 concerning the death of Viceroy Liu K'un-yi, and to report that its contents have been conveyed to the Chinese Government as directed, and a reply received, copies of which communications are inclosed. I have, etc., [Inclosure 1.] Mr. Conger to Prince Ch'ing. E. H. CONGER. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, YOUR HIGHNESS: I have the honor to inform your highness that I have just received telegraphic instructions from the Secretary of State at Washington, directing me to convey to the Imperial Government the assurance of my Government's sincere sympathy in the loss sustained by China through the death of so worthy and capable a public official as the late viceroy of the Liang Kiang, His Excellency Liu K'un-yi. In complying with these instructions, I avail, etc., E. H. CONGER. [Inclosure 2.] Prince Ch'ing to Mr. Conger. We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's note, saying that you had had a telegram from the State Department at Washington, expressing the deep sympathy of your Government on learning of the death of his excellency the superintendent of trade for the south, the Viceroy Liu K'un-yi, which telegram your excellency, as instructed, had had translated and which you transmitted for our information, etc. On receiving and reading your excellency's note and learning that your honorable Government had sent a special telegram to convey its regret on hearing the death of his excellency the superintendent of trade for the south, the Viceroy Liu K'un-yi, we, prince and ministers, have been filled with gratitude for such a distinguished mark of friendship. We therefore send this note to your excellency in reply, hoping that you will inform the State Department of your honorable country of its contents. In sending this reply we avail, etc. Cards inclosed. Ninth moon, 14th day (October 15, 1902). CONVENTION AND ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND CHINA RESPECTING MANCHURIA. @ Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, December 3, 1901. (Mr. Conger reports the return of Prince Ch'ing with authority to sign Manchurian convention providing substantially as follows: Article 1.-Manchuria will be returned by Russia to Chinese jurisdiction and administration. Article 2.-Agreement of 1896 with Russo-Chinese Bank to be permanently maintained, and protection of railway and Russian subjects is undertaken. If there are no repetitions of disorder, and the conduct of other nations does not hamper, Russia will evacuate as follows: During 1901, the southern part of Sheng-king up to Liao River; during 1902, the remainder of Sheng-king, and during 1903, Kirin and Heilung chiang. Article 3.-In concert with Russian authorities the military governor will fix the number of Chinese troops and points to be occupied, beyond which China will not increase nor advance troops. Except in localities assigned to railway company, China shall use only cavalry and infantry, but not artillery. Article 4.-Troops to protect railways can not be sent by other nations. Anglo-Russian railway sphere convention and agreement as to companies borrowing funds to be maintained. No further railway or bridge construction in southern portions will be allowed, nor railway terminus changed, except by Russian consent. All Russian expenses in restoring and maintaining Shankaiwan, Yingkou, and Hsinting railways to be repaid and railway restored to the owners in 1901. Mr. Conger states that English and Japanese ministers are warning China not to sign, and inquires what action, if any, he shall take.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 6, 1901. (Mr. Hay directs Mr. Conger to take an early opportunity to advise Prince Ch'ing that the President trusts and expects that no arrangement which will permanently impair the territorial integrity of China, or injure the legitimate interests of the United States, or impair the ability of China to meet her international obligations, will be made with any single power.) ❝ See under Russia, page 926, and Austria-Hungary, page 26, No. 846.] Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I confirm your telegram" of the 6th instant, and report that on yesterday I had a conference with Prince Ch'ing on the subjectmatter thereof. I handed to Prince Ch'ing a memorandum embodying your instructions and the expectations of the President, a copy of which I inclose. I said to him, in substance, that it was generally understood what the proposed terms of the Manchurian agreement were, but that we had no authoritative knowledge; that if the terms as understood should be agreed upon China's territorial integrity would be endangered, her sovereignty impaired, the treaty rights of other nations violated, and her ability to meet her international obligations diminished. He then briefly outlined to me the demands which Russia was making. They were substantially as reported in my telegram of the 3d instant. He said he agreed with my views as to the results to be reasonably expected from a compliance with the Russian demands, and that he should endeavor, in whatever agreement was finally reached, to preserve the sovereignty of China and respect all treaty and international obligations. He assured me that instead of taking nearly three years to evacuate Manchuria he should insist upon its being accomplished in one, and that while limiting the number and kind of Chinese troops to be kept in the territory during Russian occupancy, this matter should be left to China's judgment and control after the evacuation, and that after turning back to China the Shan-hai-kwan, Ying Kou and Hsinting railroads the Chinese Government should itself decide how it should be guarded, and whether or not a bridge across the Liao River should be constructed. Also, if upon investigation it should turn out that Russia's expenses of repair and maintenance of the abovementioned railroads were included in the general indemnity allowed by the final protocol, then they should not be paid again; otherwise, reasonable compensation should be agreed to. I asked him if the proposed agreement did not provide for exclusive privileges of railway and mining development. He replied it did not, but that later negotiations might be entered into to reiterate the agreement heretofore entered into with the Russo-Chinese Bank; that these would give Russia, when new railroads were to be constructed or mines opened, the first right to build or open, but that these would only be given after conference with, and approval of, the Chinese authorities. He also said that if he could not secure Russian consent to these modifications he would confer with me again before signing. Under all the circumstances I can see no serious objections to the terms which he suggests for the general agreement; but if the understanding as to a separate agreement concerning exclusive railway and mining concessions, as it would seem, really makes a part of the main agreement, it is quite as objectionable as if it was formally included therein. I am bound to add that I have very serious doubts about his ability to secure the consent of Russia to the terms he proposes. I have, etc., E. H. CONGER. a Printed, ante. [Inclosure.] Memorandum left by Mr. Conger with Prince Ch'ing on December 11, 1901. The President of the United States, having heard reports to the effect that China was about to sign a convention with Russia which would materially affect the sovereignty of the former in the Manchurian provinces, and which would apparently impair very seriously the treaty obligations of China with other powers, as well as injure the commercial interests of the United States in the region mentioned, has sent Mr. Conger, the United States minister at Peking, the following cable dispatch.a Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Conger reports that he has been informed by Prince Ch'ing that the latter has done the best he could and has held out as long as possible, but that Russian possession of Manchuria has become intolerable, and that China must at once sign the convention or lose everything; that he has therefore agreed to sign the convention, modified as substantially stated in Mr. Conger's dispatch No. 846, of December 12, 1901, and will also sign the separate agreement with the RussoChinese Bank, which practically gives exclusive privileges of industrial development in Manchuria. Mr. Conger has reported to Prince Ch'ing Mr. Hay's telegraphic instructions of December 6, 1901, and the British and Japanese ministers advised him to about the same effect; but it is expected that the signing of the convention and agreement will very soon take place.) No. 898.] Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to confirm my telegram' of this date. On the 27th I had a conference with Prince Ch'ing, who informed me, substantially, that he was in a most difficult position. He had used, he said, every effort in his power to come to some agreement with Russia whereby the evacuation of Manchuria might be secured without the great sacrifice, on the part of China, which Li Hung-chang had agreed to. He had, he said, secured some very material concessions on the part of Russia, but they would yield no further, and he was convinced if China held out longer, that they would never again secure terms as lenient; that the Russians were in full possession of the territory, and their treatment of the Chinese was so aggravating that longer occupation was intolerable; that they must be got out, and that the only way left for China to accomplish this was to make the best possible terms. The only terms that Russia would consent to was the signing of both the convention and the Russo-Chinese Bank agreement. He said that a Printed, ante, page 271. FR 1902, PT 1- -18 Printed, ante. |