No. 75.
Mr. Low to
Mr. Fish.
Peking, June 13, 1873. (Received August 6.)
Sir: The Japanese embassy is still in Peking. The embassador has called to see me several times, and I have been to see him as often as the state of my health would permit. The question of priority of rank, which, at one time, seemed likely to hinder the establishing of cordial relations between him and my colleagues, has, I am happy to say, been put aside for the present, with an understanding that it shall remain in abeyance until all shall have presented their letters of credence.
In his conversations with me the embassador has spoken freely and with apparent frankness concerning the purposes of his mission and the business with which he is charged.
There are, he says, only two questions of importance which he desires to discuss with the Chinese government:
- First. Whether China is responsible for the acts of the aborigines on the island of Formosa. If the government answers this question in the affirmative, he will then demand redress and indemnity for the murder of some natives of Loo Choo, who were wrecked there a year and more ago. If the answer is in the negative, notice will then be given that Japan proposes to send a military force to Formosa to chastise the savage and semi-civilized tribes that practically hold undisputed possession of the large part of the island; and, as there are no safe harbors on that part of the island where the aborigines reside, permission will be asked to land troops at one of the ports open to trade, and to march them through Chinese territory that lies between the ports and the points where the troops are intended to operate against the savages.
- Second. To ascertain the precise relations between China and Corea; whether the former claims to exercise such control over her tributary as to render China responsible for the acts of the Coreans, or whether other nations must look to Corea alone for redress for wrongs and outrages which her people may commit.
General plan of Hsin-Ch’eng on the Peiho River, by M. de Contenson.
explanatory remarks.
- a.
- This fort, which is well placed to command two reaches of the river, was not visited on the 27th of May, 1873.
- b.
- b. b. Three large earthworks inside Hsin-Ch’eng. At present they are circular towers 31 feet high, and 101 feet in diameter on the summit, 110 feet at the hase. These are the hasement towers only; central and upper ones are to be superimposed and the completed structures will be 51 feet high.
- c.
- Large entrenched camp and fort, with lookout (wang-tai) and two outlying lunettes, (d d,) commanding two reaches of the river and the Taku road.
- e.
- Probable appearance of the earthworks inside Hsin-Ch’eng when completed, with pagoda-shaped structures on top like that now on the lookout in fort, (c.)
- f.
- Taku road blocked up here at present.
N. B.—;Eighteen temporary intrenched camps around Hsin-Ch?6ng are not shown on this plan.
[Page []] [Page 189]In regard to the kingdom of Loo Choo, which, as you are aware, Japan has taken formal and actual possession of, he has nothing to say to the Chinese. The Loo Choo Islands, he says, are now a part of the Japanese Empire nor will China or any other country be permitted to question the right of Japan to exercise complete jurisdiction over what was formerly the kingdom of Loo Choo.
The embassador has not as yet been afforded an opportunity to present his letters of credence to the Emperor. Until this can be done, and his position as representative of Japan is recognized in a fitting and proper manner, no steps will be taken to bring the other questions to the notice of the imperial government.
It is understood that negotiations are now pending with reference to the request of the embassador, made soon after his arrival at Peking, for an audience of the Emperor; it is also understood that, at his last interview with the yamên, the Chinese ministers were given to understand that, unless an affirmative answer was returned to his request within a certain number of days, the embassy would be withdrawn from Peking, and relations between the two governments would cease.
In response, the Chinese ministers said that an answer would be sent within the time named, and intimated that it would be such as would satisfy the embassador.
I have, &c.,