Mr. Uhl to Mr. Mil
Washington, May 31, 1894.
Sir: I have received Mr. Allen’s dispatch, of the 6th ultimo, in regard to Korean political murders.
In the case of Kim Ok-kiun, who led the revolution in Seoul in 1884, and who was murdered in Shanghai by a Korean, Mr. Allen states that at the instance of the King of Korea he telegraphed to the consul-general of the United States at Shanghai, asking him to use his good offices in having the murderer of Kim Ok-kiun given up to Korean justice.
The Department regrets this action on the part of Mr. Allen. Kim was murdered by a Korean in the American settlement at Shanghai; but this gave our consul-general no ground for intervention, for his power of protection and jurisdiction extended no further than over citizens of the United States residing in his purview. On this ground alone, omitting reference to any other, the Department disapproves of his action.
I am, etc.,