No. 157.
Mr. Seward
to Mr. Evarts.
Peking, March 8, 1880. (Received April 26.)
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that the grand council, to whom the charges against Chung How, the late ambassador to Russia, were referred, have reported, and that a decree has been published approving the finding of the council and sentencing the ambassador to be decapitated after the next autumn assizes, say, in December next. I inclose a copy of the decree. The report of the council has not been made public.
* * * * * * *
Prince Kung and his associates are credited with having defended the unfortunate minister. It would appear rather to be an act of blind fanaticism committed by the reactionary party, and made possible by what they have considered substantial grounds for dissatisfaction with the treaty in question.
* * * * * * *
Under these circumstances the extreme action taken toward Chung [Page 238] How is believed by many to be a blow aimed at Prince Rung and the more moderate persons who stand with him, and to indicate the decided ascendency in the palace councils of a reactionary spirit.
* * * * * * *
That this spirit, which is so strong in China, should exhibit itself in a more positive manner at a moment when, for the first time in more than thirty years, the empire is at peace within and without her borders, is not singular. But there is this matter for satisfaction in the situation. There is undoubtedly, at the moment, a moderate party in the state which is not destitute of influence. Prince Kung may be considered to belong to it, the viceroy at Tientsin is a distinguished member of it, and other officers of standing and experience could be named in the same connection—as, for instance, Ting-Jih-Chang, lately governor at Foochow, Kwoh-Sung Tao, lately minister to England, and Tseng Chi Che, now minister to England and Russia. Beyond these must be ranged upon the same side all persons who are interested in commerce and those who, by reason of their studies and observations at home or abroad, have come to favor measures for the development of the material interests of their country. Whatever incidents of an unfavorable sort may occur, therefore, it is possible to believe that other incidents will occur which will be of an encouraging sort.
In point of fact, simultaneously with the appearance of the decree condemning Chung How to death, a memorial bearing the imperial approval has also appeared, by which high officers of state throughout the Empire are called upon to search out persons of ability, especially those who are acquainted with foreign languages and sciences, and to send up their names for employment. This also may be dictated by the reactionary spirit, but it implies a certain advance of opinion regarding foreigners which will tell hardly less strongly in their favor than if it had been dictated by a friendly spirit.
I see nothing in the situation which requires any change in our attitude. Our policy has been to deal justly with this government, and to do what we can to hold it to the observance of treaty stipulations. I think we could have no better policy. It is possible, in view of it, to feel sympathy for China without descending into the region of sentimentality. It is possible, also, to regard the unfavorable incidents of intercourse with moderation, instead of taking from them lessons of inconsiderate condemnation. There are persons, if not parties, in the East who go upon the one side or the other, and who are eager to impress their views upon the world at large. I cannot sympathize perfectly with either, but while asserting that a policy of justice must be tempered by charity in the one direction, and by vigilance in the other, I am prepared to expect many surprises, some of which will be gratifying, and others, perhaps, disappointing.
I have, &c.,
- The fifth prince, who takes precedence by virtue of his seniority.—S.↩