New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-20
WARSHIPS TO CHINA.
Government asserts Right to Send
Them Wherever americans LiUe.


Washington May 19~-China has been informed
that the Washington government claims the right
to dispatch warshps not only TO those Chinese
ports declared by treaty TO be open TO the world.
but also the inland waters Of China, wherever
Americans may be and where by treaty with China
they authorized to engage in business or
side for the purpose of spreading the Gospel"
That the official details this subject may be
known. the state Department has decided to pub
lish the correspondence between Mr.. Conger. tho
American Minister at Picking and Rear Admiral
Robey D. Evans. former commander in chief of the
Asiatic station. which followed a protest OF the
Chinese government against the visit Of the gun
boat Villalohos last IN the Yangtse Valley.
where she ordered by the commander In chief
OF the Astatic feet TO gather such Information
about the Americans living there would he of
use in rendering them prompt assistance in
case Of an expected native outbreak against for
egners.
The TaotaI Of Kiu-Kiang protested to the Arneri-
can Consul at Hankow against tho visit of the
Villalobos 10 NanchanG the ground that bad
men inhabited that region. and he declared that
the viceroy had directed all the foreign consuls at
Shanghai 10 instruct their captains not TO visit
Poyang Lake except most important business
Minister Conser called Admiral Evans for tho
facts. A long correspondence ensued. Admiral
Evans stoutly maintaining that American warships
had right to go wherever Americans were allowed
live and engage II business. Finally the CORE
spondence reached tho State Department. and after
carefully reading tho arguments both sides.
Secretary Hay has approved tho stand taken by
Admiral Evans.
After receiving the first communication saying
that he had approved the action OF the commander
OF tho VilaIobos In visiting the Americans in the
Yanstse Valley. Minister Conger sent this note 70
Rear Admiral Evans:
I shall Re pleased 10 have YOU point out 70 me
the provisions Of the treaty which give gun
heats ne rirbt 10 60 wherever thev please in the
Interior Of the empire. eHcep; on rivers leading 20
open ports.
Admiral Evans replIed as follows
have 10 inform you that whereas there may ~, be
no no ~ ~ ~ ., ,,bIcb ,'oii
refer. and may be. therefore unable 10 point out
thority. yet consider that the clause embodied In
our treaty which grants 70 US tho same or equal
short the most favored nation clause"-covers
my ac,lon IN 'l4'2 o-i - 70 y. 80
allowed by China to the armed vessels OF other
M SnsD ' g % time nasi visited Nv the eu1boats
presume for the same purposes for which our YES
sells have visited those waters and apparently with
the sanction OF the Chinese authorities. II China
grants or does not object 70 the visits or these
claim thS sane H S1 to watch over and nroeo
try who may be in China engased in any lawful
people TO engage in business or reside elsewhere
than at treaty ports IT is incumbent upon me to
keep informed. far possible, OF their welfare.
ana II at any time the Chinese authorities NAL
treat them fail give them adequate protection
the case, II becomes my duty instantly and I'M
hesitatingly TO send such armed force may be
at my disposal and give the protection necessary.
Admiral Evans then sent the following instruo-
tons 10 tho commanding officer OF the Vilalobos
at tho same time forwarding them in substance 10
Mr.. Conger. with the suggestion that the proper
Chinese officials be advised:
You will. if occasion offers. inform the Taotai
who Wrote the letter protesting the consul gem
eral against your vessel. his objections VIII
not receive your consideration and that II thinks
| the people Of the Poyang district bad men,
| such a reason Is the greater cause for more
| interests by armed vessels. and that these
| visits will he continued In the future as in the
past You are also authorized to inform the Taota
| should occasion offer and any other Chinese ON
Gals who may raise objections OF this character
| that our Gunboats are always amply provided for
/ dealing with bad men and that should there
| be any indication TO pay other than proper re-
| spect TO American life and property the part
| of these men. they will be dealt with immedl-
| ately, and tho Eunboats VIII without further in
| ment.
| IT is expected that the Taotai and other Of
/ fcials OF China will suppress all disorder and
give ample protection TO the lives and property.
Americans. but If these officials fail 10 do the
| question OF adequate and proper protection viii
| be taken in hand by guaboats. In order TO
satisfy ourselves that the various local officials
are properly affOrding protection, gunboats will
| continue TO navigate the Poyang Lake and the
| various other inland waters Of China wherever
| China they authorized engage in business
or reside for the purpose OF spreading the Gospel.
1t was later learned that the Chinese officials at
| the Villalobos when his ship visited that port.
L