Mr. Denby to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, August 6,
1894.
No. 1915.]
Sir: On the 3d instant I received from the
Tsung-li-Yamên a dispatch stating that China is at peace with all the
world except Japan; that she undertakes the protection of missionaries
and merchants within her borders, and asking me to inform the merchants
and missionaries of American nationality that they are at liberty to
pursue their usual avocations without anxiety because of the hostilities
being carried on against Japan.
In a circular dated the 4th instant I requested the consuls to bring this
announcement to the notice of the citizens of the United States within
their jurisdictions.
In making acknowledgment to the Yamên of the receipt of this dispatch I
considered it my duty to state to them that the obligation upon the
Chinese authorities to protect peaceable Japanese, within their
territory, was as great as that to protect other foreigners. Any
reference to this obligation is pointedly omitted in the dispatch
referred to. There were in China before the war 1,017 Japanese
residents, while the Chinese in Japan numbered 5,540. Interest as well
as duty dictates to China the protection of these Japanese. It is
certain that outrages against them will lead to retaliation.
There are two places at which attacks upon Japanese were chiefly to be
feared, viz, Tientsin and Chefoo. So strong was the feeling against them
at the former place that the Japanese chargé d’affaires, who left there
on the 4th instant, ordered them to leave with him. Not one now remains,
I telegraphed yesterday to Chefoo advising all Japanese to leave that
port also. Chefoo is a port on the direct line of communication between
Korea and Tientsin. In case the Chinese experience a defeat at sea,
fugitives will put into this harbor and it would be difficult to secure
the safety of the Japanese against them.
The proclamation which I ask the Yamên to issue will be useful at
Shanghai and other places, from which it is not praticable to advise the
Japanese to depart.
I have, etc.,
Chas. Denby, Jr.,
Chargé d’Affaires ad
interim.
[Page 128]
[Inclosure 1 in No.
1915.]
The Foreign Office to
Mr. Charles Denby,
Jr.
Peking, August 3,
1894.
No. 24.]
With reference to the circumstances attending the commencement of
hostilities on the part of Japan, the Yamên, acting under the rule
laid down in international law to give due information thereof to
friendly powers, had already addressed a communication to the chargé
d’affaires of the United States upon the subject, which is a matter
of record.
With the exception of Japan alone, who is at war with her, China and
all the other treaty powers are on terms of friendly intercourse as
usual.
With regard to merchants and missionaries of all foreign countries
resident in China they will all be protected as provided by treaty,
and to this end the Yamên has telegraphed to the minister
superintendent of northern trade to wire all the Tartar generals,
governors-general, and governors of the various provinces to take
precautionary measures and issue warning instructions that the
common people must be ordered not by mistake, to create any trouble
or disturbance.
The prince and ministers beg that the chargé d’affaires of the United
States will instruct the U. S. consuls at the treaty ports to inform
American merchants and missionaries that they are to continue to
carry on their vocations as usual, and that on account of the
hostilities with Japan they need not be in fear and doubt.
A necessary communication addressed to Charles Denby, jr., esq.,
etc.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
1915.]
circular.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, August 4, 1894.
Thos. R. Jernigan,
Esq.,
United States Consul-General,
Shanghai:
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
this legation is in receipt of a dispatch from the Tsung-li-Yamên,
dated the 3d instant, stating that the merchants and missionaries of
foreign countries, wherever residing in China, will be protected,
and that the high provincial authorities have been ordered to issue
proclamations warning the people in no manner to disturb them.
The Yamên asks this legation to inform the American merchants and
missionaries that they are at liberty to pursue their avocations as
usual, and requests them to be under no fear or anxiety because of
the hostilities now being carried on against Japan.
You are requested to bring this announcement to the notice of the
citizens of the United States within your jurisdiction.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Chas. Denby, Jr.,
Chargé d’Affaires ad
interim.
(Mutatis mutandis to all U. S. consuls in China.)
[Page 129]
[Inclosure 3 in No.
1915.]
Mr. Denby to
the Tsung-li-Yamên.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have
the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 3d
instant, stating that China is at peace with all treaty powers
except Japan, and asking me to inform the American merchants and
missionaries in this country that they may continue to pursue their
vocations as usual, without anxiety because of the hostilities now
existing with Japan.
While thanking you for your praiseworthy efforts to secure the
protection of the citizens of those countries with which you are at
peace, I have the honor to point out to you that it is in a greater
degree your duty, in accordance with the precepts of international
law and the dictates of humanity, to make every effort to guarantee
from molestation or injury peaceable subjects of Japan within your
territory. This is all the more important because there are more
than five times as many Chinese in Japan as there are Japanese in
China. Your highness and your excellencies will readily see that
just treatment and protection of the subjects of Japan in this
country will be the surest guarantee of the just treatment and
protection of your subjects in Japan.
There are two courses which your highness and your excellencies may
pursue. You may announce that the Japanese will not be protected and
order their departure from the treaty ports, or you may announce
that they are at liberty to stay, and that you undertake to
guarantee their safety.
I strongly recommend you to adopt this latter course, and I request
that proclamations be immediately posted in all localities where
Japanese reside, informing the people that they remain in China with
your consent, and enjoining that they be in no way interfered
with.
I request your highness and your excellencies to give me an early
reply to this dispatch, and I await, etc.,
