No. 437.
Mr. Bingham to Mr. Fish.
United
States Legation, Japan,
Tokei, June 18, 1874.
(Received July 21.)
No. 95.]
Sir: Since waiting my dispatch No. 89, dated the 3d
instant, I have become possessed of further information in regard to the
expedition against Formosa, which it seems to me important to
communicate.
* * * * * * *
[Page 688]
I am to-day in receipt of a communication from Mr. Williams, at Peking,
(inclosure 2,) under date the 26th ultimo, in which he incloses to me a copy
of a communication addressed to him by Prince Kung, (inclosure in 2,) chief
secretary of state for foreign affairs, dated the 17th ultimo. You will
notice in this communication that the prince expressly avers that the region
occupied by the aborigines of Formosa “is a portion of the domain of China.”
It is also to be observed that he states that the foreign ministers have
informed him in respect to the Japanese expedition, that by the law of
nations the treaty powers at peace with China are not permitted to assist
the Japanese, and that they will at once notify their officials, &c.,
against aiding the Japanese with arms and ammunition. Without further
quoting Prince Kung’s letter to Mr. Williams with reference to our treaty
obligations, &c., it is proper to state that, on the 18th ultimo, I
communicated to Mr. Williams (in reply to his letter dated April 24, and
inclosed with my No. 82) the action I had taken to prevent the employment by
this government of American citizens, or vessels, in hostilities against
Formosa; a copy of which letter is herewith inclosed, (inclosure 3.) On the
same day I also addressed to Mr. Seward, at Shanghai, a communication in
relation to my action in the premises, (inclosure 4,) to which I received a
reply under date 30th ultimo, (inclosure 5.)
I have the honor to report further that I have received from Rear-Admiral
Pennock, commanding the Asiatic squadron, a copy of a telegram from
Commander Kautz, United States steamer Monocacy, at Amoy, and a copy of his
(the admiral’s) reply thereto, copies of which telegrams are herewith
forwarded, (inclosure 6.) You will notice from the telegram of Commander
Kautz that the Chinese viceroy has ordered the Japanese to leave Formosa,
and has requested the American consul at Amoy to prevent American citizens
from assisting the Japanese, and that the consul has invoked the aid of the
commander. To this the admiral has replied that the commander shall order
all American citizens to withdraw from all enterprises unfriendly to the
Chinese government, &c.
From what I have herein stated, it seems not improbable that the Chinese
government, having declared against the hostile invasion of its territory by
Japan, and having notified the Japanese to vacate the same, may follow this
action by a direct appeal to arms. In view of all the facts the action taken
by Japan on the 18th and 19th April last, seems to have made necessary the
protests made by me (heretofore communicated to you) in obedience to the
requirements of the law of 1860, of the law international, and of the treaty
obligations of the United States. I trust that my dispatches herein stated
to our officials in China, informing them of my official action here and of
the result thereof, may meet your approval.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 95.]
Mr. Williams to Mr.
Bingham.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, May 26,
1874.
Sir: Since I wrote you last month, giving the
principal items in the reply made by this government to the announcement
that the Japanese were about invading Formosa to punish the aborigines
there, we have heard that the expedition has been recalled,
[Page 689]
and also that a landing had
been effected in the southwestern corner of the island. These statements
are probably both true in admeasure, and we wait with interest to learn
the course of events in relation to this curious episode of Japanese
history.
The Chinese authorities had heard of the engagement of General Le Gendre
in the service of the Japanese, and other things connected with the
expedition, and paid me a visit very soon after to see whether I would
not issue a proclamation of neutrality. They have been, I think, much
perplexed and alarmed about this whole affair; and I gave them my
opinion as to the desirableness of a resident minister in Yedo, for if
they had had one they could have learned the facts of the enterprise,
and not have been obliged to trust to newspapers and rumors in a case of
so much importance to them. Seeing, too, that they had good serviceable
ships of their own building, I said it was desirable to station them
about Formosa, where they could at least observe the proceedings of the
Japanese vessels.
They sent me a dispatch a few days after on the subject, and I have
deemed that it might be of some interest to you, and now inclose a
translation, with a copy of my reply.
We have not heard of the arrival at Shanghai of the newly-appointed
Japanese, and when he reaches Peking he will probably learn something,
and tell them more about this matter.
With great respect, &c.,
P. S.—Referring to my last note, I wish to add that, since writing
it, I have read the dispatch, No. 302, of Mr. De Long, addressed to
Mr. Fish, November 6, 1872, in which the relations of the Lewchewans
to Japan are fully set forth. Those islands are more entirely
incorporated into the Japanese Empire than I had supposed.
[Inclosure in 2 in No. 95.]
Tung-chi, 13th year, 4th moon, 2d day.
(May 17, 1874.)
Prince Kung, chief secretary of state of foreign affairs, herewith makes
a communication.
I learn by official reports and recent newspapers that the Japanese
government is about sending troops and ships to Formosa, to the
territory occupied by the aborigines; and I suppose your excellency has
also heard the same things. The region occupied by these aborigines is a
portion of the domain of China, but the government of Japan has not yet
plainly declared its intentions in sending troops there. The foreign
ministers have informed me, however, (in respect to this movement,)
that, according to international law, those countries which are at peace
with China are not permitted to assist the Japanese, and that they will
at once notify their officials and merchants that they are forbidden to
aid them with arms and ammunition. This is a clear proof of their
friendly sentiments.
The United States and China have long been on terms of cordial amity, as
the first article of their treaty provides as follows:
“There shall be, as there has always been, peace and friendship between
the United States and China, and between their people, respectively.
They shall not insult of oppress each other for any trifling cause so as
to produce an estrangement between them; and if any other nation should
act unjustly or oppressively, the United States will exert their good
offices, on being informed of the case, to bring about an amicable
arrangement of the question, thus showing their friendly feelings.”
This article is very explicit as to the mutual aid which our two
countries shall render each other, and is what is universally
understood. Since this treaty went into effect all the American
ministers who have come here, and your excellency, too, have upheld its
stipulations. But I have now heard that the United States has loaned one
of its men-of-war to the Japanese to convey troops to Amoy; also, that
two of the-commanders of the Japanese vessels are American officers, and
that General Le Gendre, a former United States consul, is with them, and
that the [Pacific Mail] steamer New York has been chartered to convey
troops, stores, &c., to Formosa.
I desire, therefore, that your excellency will speedily inquire into this
matter, to the end that treaty stipulations may be carried out and these
proceedings stopped, and, if they prove to be as reported, that General
Le Gendre, with the officers and all the ships, may be at once
recalled.
This will be fulfilling the provisions of the treaty and will strengthen
our amicable relations.
It is also what I confidently expect, and is the object for which I make
this communication.
His Excellency S. Wells Williams,
United States Chargé d’Affaires.
[Page 690]
[Inclosure 3 in No. 95.]
Mr. Bingham to Mr.
Williams.
United
States Legation,
Tokei, May 18,
1874.
Sir: I tender yon my thanks for your
communication of the 24th ultimo in relation to the Formosan expedition
and the telegram of General Le Gendre.
General Le Gendre holds, as I am informed, a military commission under
the government of Japan. I do not know to whom he refers in his telegram
as “interested parties,” but it is not unreasonable to suppose that” he
looks upon the United States as an interested party.
I deem it due to the Government of the United States to acquaint you
somewhat with my action in relation to the Formosan expedition. Before
any part of the expedition had left Japan, viz, on the 18th and 19th
days of April last, I placed in the hands of the Japanese minister for
foreign affairs my written protests against the employment by the
Japanese government of any ship or citizen of the United States in an
armed expedition against Formosa, until the written consent thereto of
the government of China should have been first obtained by the
government of Japan. On the 22d ultimo, and while the expedition still
remained in port at Nagasaki, I received from the minister for foreign
affairs a dispatch in which he said that in compliance with my request
the steamer New York, and General Le Gendre, Lieutenant-Commander
Cassell, and Mr. Wasson, citizens of the United States, had been
detached from the expedition, and that orders had been forwarded by the
government to Nagasaki to that effect. I have since been assured
verbally by the minister for foreign affairs that the orders so issued
were duly delivered at Nagasaki, before any portion of the expedition
sailed, together with written notices addressed by me to the persons
above named, to the effect that they should not proceed with the
expedition without further authority and instructions. General Le Gendre
did not accompany the expedition from Nagasaki, but has returned, as I
am informed, to Yedo.
You will please make known to the government of China the action that I
have taken, as herein stated, in behalf of the United States.
I cannot say that I am fully advised of all the purposes of Japan in this
matter, but I have been assured, verbally, by the minister for foreign
affairs that it is not the purpose of his government to make any descent
upon Formosa, with force, without the consent of China. Having been
informed of some verbal consent given to Soyeshima last year, I deemed
it proper to say to the minister for foreign affairs, that, to “pre vent
any misunderstanding, he should, before action, obtain from the
government of China consent in writing to the expedition and its
declared objects.
Be assured, my dear sir, that I have every desire to maintain in good
faith the treaty obligations of the United States with China.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 4 in No. 95.]
Mr. Bingham to Mr.
Seward.
United
States Legation,
Tokei, May 18,
1874.
Sir: From information recently received I deem
it proper to say to you that before any expedition left Japan for
Formosa, or any other portion of China, viz, on the 18th and 19th
ultimo, I made written protest to the minister for foreign affairs
against the employment, by Japan, of any ship or citizen of the United
States in an armed expedition against Formosa, until the written consent
of China thereto should have been first obtained by the government of
Japan.
On the 22d of April, and while the expedition still remained in port at
Nagasaki, I received from the Japanese minister for foreign affairs a
dispatch, in which he said that in compliance with my request the ship
New York, and Le Gendre, Cassell, and Wasson, citizens of the United
States, had been detached from this service.
It may be proper that you acquaint the Chinese authorities of this, and
say to Mr. Williams at Peking that I will fully advise him.
You will, I doubt not, see that the provisions of the act of 1880, 12,
Statutes at Large, page 72, (to carry into effect the treaties with
China and Japan,) be respected by citizens of the United States in
China.
I am, &c.,
[Page 691]
[Inclosure 5 in No. 95]
Mr. Seward to Mr.
Bingham.
United
States Consulate General,
Shanghai, May 30,
1874.
No. 22.]
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your
dispatch of the 18th instant in regard to the expedition to Formosa. I
have sent letters to the appropriate consuls in China embodying the
information contained in your dispatch and saying that I think that any
steps which they may take to discourage, or, within the provisions of
law, to prevent our people from taking part in such expedition will meet
the warm approval of our Government.
I have sent a copy of your letter to Dr. Williams.
I am, &c.,
GEORGE F. SEWARD,
Consul-General.
[Inclosure 6 in No. 95.]
Telegram from Commander Kautz, and Admiral Pennock’s
reply.
A.
Captain Colhoun, Hartford, Yokohama:
Viceroy (Chinese) has ordered Japanese to leave Formosa. Requests
consul to prevent American citizens from assisting Japanese. Consul
asks me to assist him in compelling Americans to leave the Japanese
forces in Formosa.
I await your orders.
B.
Commander Albert
Kautz,
United States Steamer
Monocacy, care American consul, Amoy, China:
Notify and command all American citizens to abstain and withdraw from
all enterprises unfriendly to the Chinese government, and to avoid
all acts which are inconsistent with treaty obligations, on pain of
forfeiting all claim to American protection.
