Attacks on the Christians, refuge in Macau

This is a diplomatic dispatch from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 13 November 1900, transmitting a series of telegraphic communications between consular officials, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Macau, and the Chinese authorities during a period of civil unrest in southern China....

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Bibliographic Details
Format: Documents
Language:Portuguese
Published: Outubro 1900
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Online Access:https://macau-legacy.usj.edu.mo/docs/9QJ8SXX3/viewer_9QJ8SXX3.html
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Summary:This is a diplomatic dispatch from the Portuguese Consulate in Canton, dated 13 November 1900, transmitting a series of telegraphic communications between consular officials, the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor of Macau, and the Chinese authorities during a period of civil unrest in southern China. The document records reports of attacks on Christian missions at Tourenne and civilian settlements at Taunam, prompting urgent requests for protective measures and potential military intervention. It details concerns over the safety of civilians, particularly women and children, and outlines diplomatic exchanges regarding the deployment of Portuguese and Chinese forces to restore order near Macau. The correspondence reflects Portugal’s strategic interest in maintaining stability in its colonial territory amid regional instability linked to broader anti-foreign and anti-Christian disturbances. Reference is made to coordinated international naval presence in Canton, including German, British, American, and French gunboats, indicating multilateral concern over escalating rebellion along the East River. The text also includes intelligence on rebel armament, noting possession of 5,000 modern rifles near N. Se Houng Koung. Additional context is provided through reports from the Diplomatic Corps in Peking, which assesses the southern uprisings as unlikely to be aimed at toppling the Qing Government despite widespread disorder. This primary source offers critical insights into colonial diplomacy, cross-border security concerns, and foreign intervention in late Qing China during the Boxer Rebellion era.