In the same connection I beg to inclose herewith copy of a note from the
minister of foreign affairs of date March 2, informing me in detail of
the drastic measures taken to punish the offenders, as a result of his
correspondence on the subject with the Formosan government. The minister
expresses his extreme regret that the native tribes in question should
have behaved so revoltingly and cruelly toward the shipwrecked
Americans, and the hope that my Government will be satisfied with what
the Japanese authorities have done in the matter.
[Inclosure.]
Baron Komura to
Mr. Griscom.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Tokyo, March 2, 1904.
Mr. Minister: In reference to your
excellency’s note, dated 17th December last, in which you called the
attention of the Imperial Government to the wild actions of the
natives of Botel Tobago Island, near Taiwan, toward the shipwrecked
persons of the Benjamin Sewall, an American
vessel, on October 5 last, when they were cast up on that island,
and referring also to my note, under date of December 29, in which I
informed you in reply that I have at once referred the matter to the
Taiwan government, requesting them to make a full investigation
[Page 445]
on the subject, while
assuring to inform you again immediately on receipt of definite
information from the Taiwan government, I have now the honor to
inform you of the result, after much correspondence with the said
government.
The Taiwan government at length decided to dispatch a large force of
police and attack the native islanders. The police started on
January 27, at night, under high wind and heavy seas, and on
arriving at Botel Tabago Island they divided into three parties for
the purpose of assaulting the native tribes called “Iwakinu,”
“Iwanumiruku,” and “Iratai.” Early next morning, before dawn, they
besieged each tribe and searched for over eight hours and endeavored
to find out actual perpetrators, with the result that 10 of the
would be guilty ones, including the chiefs and important members of
the tribes were captured and 13 houses burned down, swords, spears,
and other dangerous weapons being seized.
Most of the islanders, however, on discovering the landing of the
police had run away into the neighboring mountains with fright. The
police pursued them and tried to capture them, but the efforts were
in vain. Subsequently they have stationed eight policemen there for
the time being, to keep further vigilance and to subdue other
tribes, giving necessary instructions as to what they should do for
the purpose. The 10 captives were transported to the Taito
government and are kept there in custody.
It is my extreme regret that the native tribes in question should
have behaved so revoltingly and so cruelly toward the shipwrecked
persons of your country, and I can assure you that the Imperial
Government have tried every means in their power to find out the
actual perpetrators of such actions. But the islanders, being so
obstinate and secretive would never disclose the secret of each
other, and all efforts on the part of the authorities to cause them
to confess who are actually guilty of such conduct proved fruitless.
Under the circumstances the authorities could not do otherwise than
to resort to such steps as were just mentioned in way of general
punishment, and I believe the islanders will not dare to repeat such
barbarity in future. So I sincerely hope that your excellency will
be satisfied with what the Imperial Government have done in the
matter, though I need hardly say that should the actual malefactors
be caught at any future time they will be subjected to proper
punishment under provisions of law.
I avail, etc.,
