Mr. Denby to Mr. Gresham.
Peking, November 10, 1894. (Received December 20.)
Sir: On the receipt of your telegrams of November 6 and 7, respectively, I called on the Tsung-li-Yamên. Three ministers were present, Sun Yu-wen, Hsü Yung-i, and Wang Wen-huan.
I stated, in substance, to the ministers that the President of the United States found himself unable to agree to join in intervention or mediation with other powers touching the war between China and. Japan, but that, prompted by friendship for China, he would consent to use his good offices toward bringing the present war to a close, if his sole mediation were accepted by both belligerents.
The ministers at first seemed very anxious to accept this offer immediately. After some discussion., however, they came to the conclusion that until they had heard from the five powers, to wit, England, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia, whose intervention they had asked, it would not be prudent to adopt a course of action which ignored them.
They said they had been informed by their minister at Washington that the President had tendered his good offices to Japan, and if Japan accepted them China would instantly do so.
They promised to communicate with me on the subject again as soon as they heard from the powers above named.
I took occasion to say that the course of the Yamên in making a special appeal to the United States and then calling on five other powers to intervene in her behalf was contradictory and embarrassing. This they frankly admitted, but said in excuse that their condition was such that they were compelled to look for aid wherever they might hope to find it.
I have, etc.,