Mr. Buck to Mr. Hay.

No. 586.]

Sir: I have the honor to report that Mr. Na Tung, special envoy of the Emperor of China, to apologize for the murder by Chinese soldiers during the Boxer troubles last year of Mr. Sugiyama, chancellor of the Japanese legation at Pekin, arrived in Tokyo accompanied by a retinue of some twenty persons on the 5th instant.

On the 13th the envoy, with his suite in attendance, was received in audience by the Emperor of Japan and discharged his mission of apology.

The Japanese court bestowed upon Mr. Na the First Class Order of the Rising Sun, and upon the members of his suite various lower orders.

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During his sojourn in Tokyo Mr. Na has been entertained on several occasions by bankers, business men, and others; and, in general, his reception seems to indicate the hope that his visit may have the effect of improving the commercial and political relations between Japan and China.

The envoy is to depart on his return to China on the 2d proximo.

I have, etc.,

A. E. Buck.