Mr. Gresham to Mr. Denby.
Washington, November 24, 1894.
Sir: The correspondence growing out of the effort of this Government to make known to China and Japan its willingness to contribute its kindly offices toward the restoration of peace between them has reached a stage where a review of the facts and circumstances becomes proper.
The disposition of certain powers more immediately affected by the war to bring about its termination found expression in a proposal conveyed to this Government by the British chargé d’affaires of the 6th ultimo, inquiring whether the United States would be willing to join England, Germany, France, and Russia in an intervention between China and Japan on the basis of Korea’s independence being guaranteed by the powers and the payment to Japan of an indemnity for the expenses of the war.
This important inquiry was considered by the President, who directed reply to be made on the 12th ultimo that, while he earnestly desired China and Japan should speedily agree on terms of peace alike honorable to both and not humiliating to Korea, he could not join the powers mentioned in such an intervention.
The subsequent qualifying statement by Mr. Goschen, on behalf of his Government, that the intervention contemplated would be limited to diplomatic action, and would only take place in the event of a suitable opportunity presenting itself for the adoption of such a course, did not alter the President’s judgment.
[Page 82]With a few exceptions the record of our diplomatic history shows no departure from the wise policy of avoiding foreign alliances and embarrassing participation in guaranteeing the independence of distant states. The United States may, however, consistently with that policy, lend their aid to further the efforts of friendly powers unhappily at war to compose their differences whenever they concur in expressing a desire for our impartial mediation.
In several interviews had at the State Department, with the Chinese minister prior to the 6th instant, Mr. Yang Yü made known the earnest desire of his Government that the President, in accordance with the general policy of the United States and following notable precedents for such action, should use his good offices toward bringing the war to a close. The offer of the President, as telegraphed to you on the 6th instant, was accordingly made, but not until I had satisfied myself, in the course of frequent friendly conferences with the Japanese envoy, that the benevolent and impartial motives of the President were fully comprehended and appreciated by Japan.
My statements to both the Chinese and Japanese ministers in the course of these interviews made it clear to them that the United States have no policy in Asia to be endangered by the war, and that thus occupying a position of absolute and impartial neutrality toward the belligerents, the President, however solicitous to see the restoration of peace, would in no event go beyond acting as a mere peacemaker upon the request of both parties.
Before sending my telegram of the 6th instant to Mr. Dun, I submitted it to Mr. Kurino, who expressed approval and manifested appreciation of the frank and considerate course I had pursued and of the friendship which the President’s action displayed toward Japan.
As you have already been informed, the instruction to you was forwarded on the 6th instant, and was on its way to Peking several hours before your telegram, received on the night of the 5th, communicating the Yamên’s note to you of the 3d instant, was placed in my hands.
The latest information from Tokyo leaves no doubt that the Japanese Government understands the way in which the President’s coincident offers came about, and is aware that the purpose was simply to have the two Governments know that the President would be disposed to mediate should such mediation be acceptable to Japan as well as China.
With the response of the Japanese Government expressing appreciation of the President’s amicable desire and indicating readiness to consider any direct proposal for peace made by China through the United States legation at Peking, the matter now stands.
I am, etc.,