No. 106.
Mr. Young to Mr.
Frelinghuysen.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, February 14, 1885.
(Received April 13.)
No. 650.]
Sir: I inclose for your information a
correspondence with Mr. Consul Wingate at Foo-Chow.
It appears that an American firm asks the good offices of the consul to
introduce giant-powder and other explosives to the attention of the Chinese
Government. I have said to the consul that any influence he can use to
advance an American interest would be a performance of duty. I, however,
thought it my duty to say that, considering the friendly relations between
France and the United States, the legation could not approve of a consul
using his influence to supply the Chinese with articles of war to be used
against the French.
I trust that this action will meet with your approval.
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 650.]
Mr. Wingate to Mr.
Young.
January 26,
1885.
No. 115.]
Sir: I do not usually enter communications like
the No. 327 received in my letter-book. Such letters and business
circulars are usually treated as unofficial. If I can give any real
information to the sender I answer them, but most received are evidently
so ill adapted to the demand of this people that I think I am right in
concluding that they are merely sent to the consulate because the sender
finds the name of the place in the consular directory, and not as
expecting an acknowledgment.
In a case like the one under consideration I should, if a proper
opportunity offered, speak to an official regarding a manufacture by
citizens of the United States, but I could not with propriety go
further.
* * * * * * *
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 650.]
The Giant Powder Company
to Mr. Wingate.
San
Francisco, October 4,
1884.
Sir: Owing to the present outlook for war
between China and France, we desire to call your attention to and
solicit your aid and advice with regard to placing before the notice of
the Chinese Government our explosives.
[Page 157]
The Giant Powder Company’s patents were acquired from the original
inventor, Mr. Alfred Noble, both for dynamite powders and his later
discovery, the “explosive gelatine,” the strongest of all known
explosives.
The name “giant powder” was used for our dynamite powders as being more
simple and more acceptable than “dynamite.”
As the Giant Powder Company are to-day the largest manufacturers of high
explosives in-the United States and perhaps the world, having extensive,
works both in California and the East, and being fully prepared to
furnish dynamite in any quantities upon the shortest notice and at
prices which defy competition, we desire to enter every field where
dynamite is or may be used.
We address you as being in the position to forward our interests, and
trust you may be able to place with that Government a quantity of our
explosives.
We send you herewith circulars descriptive of the new “explosive
gelatine,” and will say that this powder deserves attention,
particularly for torpedoes and similar purposes.
We are &c.,
BENDMAN, NIELSON & CO.,
General
Agents.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 650.]
Mr. Young to Mr.
Wingate.
February 14,
1885.
No. 100.]
Sir: As a further reference to your dispatch, No. 115, I have the honor
to note your comments in regard to the letter you inclose from a San
Francisco firm, offering to sell the Chinese explosive materials. Your
action seems to have been judicious. The proper custom in all such
cases, the one which the legation follows, is to send the application to
some mercantile firm and allow the business to take its course. If it
should be in the power of a consul to advance an American interest by
speaking to the Chinese authorities in commendation of the interest or
in explanation of its merits, or giving an assurance of its integrity,
there is no reason why this should not be done, taking due care to show
that your action is official, not personal. At the present time,
however, I should refrain from commending to the Chinese any
manufacture, like powder or firearms or any other agency which could be
used for a warlike purpose against France. Our relations with France are
friendly, and I wish nothing done by any consular officer, even in an
informal manner, that might be regarded as a violation of the strictest
neutrality.
I am, &c.,
