Mr. Denby, chargé, to
Mr. Gresham.
No. 33.]
Legation of the
United States,
Peking, July 30, 1894.
(Received September 12.)
Sir: On the 28th instant the Tsung-li-Yamên, in an
official dispatch of which I inclose a copy herewith, advised me that Japan
had now commenced hostilities. They asked me to convey this information to
you and to request you to telegraph to the United States minister at Tokyo,
their intention being to have him at once take under his protection the
subjects of China in Japan.
On the same day I telegraphed you as follows:
Yamên announces outbreak of hostilities; requests instructions
American minister Tokyo assume protection Chinese.
The Chinese Telegraph Administration refusing cipher telegrams, unless sealed
by the Yamên, to secure which involves much loss of time, I preferred to
forward the message to you in open text.
On the 29th instant, I sent a reply to the Yamên, of which a copy is
inclosed, informing them that I had complied with their request.
The language of the Yamên, though guarded, viz, “the Japanese have now
commenced hostilities and it is difficult to say what will be the condition
of affairs,” is practically a recognition of a state of war. The chargé
d’affaires of Japan, however, has not been asked to withdraw by China, nor
has he been recalled by his own Government. For six days he has been without
instructions from Tokyo; and the only inference is that telegrams directed
to him are retained.
I have, etc.,
[Page 43]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 33.]
The Tsung-li-Yamên to Mr.
Denby.
Upon the 21st instant the chargé d’affaires of the United States called
on, the Yamên and stated that he had been instructed by telegram that,
should war break out between China and Japan over the troubles in Korea,
the Japanese Government would request the United States to protect
Japanese residents in China in case the Government of China would
consent thereto.
The Yamên replied that Mr. Wang, Chinese minister at Tokyo, had come to
an understanding with the United States minister that, in event of war,
the United States would be asked to give protection to the Chinese
residents in Japan, and they supposed that this proposal had already
been submitted to the honorable Secretary of State.
The Japanese have now commenced hostilities, and it is difficult to say
what will be the condition of affairs. There are large numbers of
Chinese residents in Japan. Many reside at the treaty ports and at Tokyo
and vicinity, where they have their families, money, and property, and
where they are engaged in business. The Government of the United States
has kindly undertaken to take them under its protection, as provided by
international law. For this the prince and ministers are sincerely
grateful.
In sending this communication for the information of the chargé
d’affaires of the United States, the prince and ministers would beg him
to be good enough to advise the honorable Secretary of State, requesting
him to issue telegraphic instructions to the minister of the United
States at Tokyo.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 33.]
Mr. Denby to the
Foreign Office.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have the
honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of yesterday, in which
you refer to our interview of the 21st instant, and to the protection by
the United States of the citizens of China and Japan in each other’s
territory in case of war.
You state that “the Japanese have now commenced hostilities, and it is
difficult to say what will be the condition of affairs;” that there are
many Chinese in Japan, and that as the United States has agreed to take
them under its protection, you request that the honorable Secretary of
State be asked to forward to the United States minister at Tokyo
telegraphic instructions.
In reply, I have the honor to state that I sent yesterday to the
honorable Secretary of State a telegram in accordance with your
request.
I avail, etc.,
