Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 5, 1899

Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States of America,
Pekin, China, December 9, 1899.

No. 290.]

Sir: Complying with Department’s instructions No. 211 of September 19 last, I have the honor to inclose a copy of Consul Johnson’s final report upon the Japanese concession at Amoy, and to say that no effort is at present being made to obtain an international foreign settlement, nor secure to American interests privileges equivalent to those granted to Japan.

The few Americans there do not need such a concession, nor could they afford the expense of controlling and keeping it up.

I have, etc.,

E. H. Conger.

[Inclosure.]

Mr. Johnson to Mr. Conger.

Consulate of the United States of America,
Amoy, China, November 21, 1899.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of a legation dispatch, No. 455, requesting that I report the result of the pending negotiations for a Japanese settlement at Amoy.

In reply, I beg to state that preliminary negotiations regarding the concession closed 25th of October. The papers were signed by the Japanese consul, Uyeno, the taotai and acting provincial treasurer, Chew, of Fuchau.

The area of the concession is about 40,000 ken (one ken equals 6 feet). The amount of land actually included in the concession measures only 28,000 ken. The Japanese may reclaim enough foreshore in front of the concession to make up the 40,000 ken.

The houses owned by individuals within the concession are to be purchased by the Japanese, when wanted, at a price to be agreed upon with the Chinese commercial committee.

There was no formal public ceremony in connection with the transfer, and actual possession was not marked by any overt act or notice to the public beyond the posting of a proclamation by the taotai, several days previous to the signing of the paper, setting forth the fact that such a settlement was about to be granted, explaining its nature, and urging the people to make no demonstration, as their property rights would be protected.

The Chinese officials seem to think that the terms of the agreement are very satisfactory from their standpoint.

The ground included in the concession is not only very limited in area, but is far from being conspicuous on account of its desirability. It has been kept within the limits suggested to me by the Japanese consul at the time I remonstrated against the granting of the large area first surveyed by the Japanese and Chinese officials, which facts have been fully reported by me.

Owing to the disturbance at the time the boundaries were being marked, it was deemed advisable by Japanese to avoid all public demonstration and rest content for the present with the adjustment of the matter on paper.

Further resistance on the part of the inhabitants is not anticipated.

I have, etc.,

A. Burlingame Johnson, Consul.