The embassy returned in August last, having failed in the object of their
mission, but having concluded a convention for the temporary joint
occupation of the island.
I enclosed (No. 1) a copy of a communication upon this subject from his
excellency, Ogasawara Iki No Kami, the minister for foreign affairs;
also (No. 2) the enclosure referred to in bis excellency’s letter, being
the proposition made by the Russian government, and the final
arrangement entered into by the two governments.
Hon. William H Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
His Excellency R. B. Van Valkenburgh,
Minister Resident of the United States of America
:
I have the honor to bring to your excellency’s notice, enclosing a
copy of the regulations, that respecting the frontier on the island
Karaft, (Saghalien,) between Russia and Japan.
Kaide Yamato No Kami, governor for foreign affairs, who has been sent
last year as envoy to the capital of Russia on the conference upon
the subject with M. Stremoonkhow, plenipotentiary and director of
the Asiatic department in the same country, has exchanged the
regulations, of which Yamato No Kami, on his return, has stated to
the government.
With respect and esteem,
OGASAWARA IKI NO KAMI.
Keio
3d year, 26th day of 7th month, (August 26, 1867.)
English translation of the regulations of the
island Sakhalin.
The envoys of his Majesty the Tycoon of Japan, arrived at St.
Petersburg, communicated to the ministry of foreign affairs that
their government, feeling misunderstandings which may arise on the
island Saghalien in consequence of the common possession of this
island, and in order to strengthen the friendship now existing
between Russia and Japan, desires to determinate the frontier lines,
admitting as such any natural boundary, mountain, or river.
In the conferences which took place on this subject, the Private
Counsellor Stremoonkhow, director of the Asiatic department,
declared that the Russian government could not accept the proposals
to draw the line on the island itself, for the reasons which were
fully explained to the envoys of his Majesty
the Tycoon. At the same time the Russian government, desirous
[Page 62]
of a mutual and friendly
understanding on Sakhalin question, made the following
proposals:
1. To consider the maritime straits bearing the name of Laperouse as
the frontier between Japan and Russia, these straits being the
natural boundary between the two states under the condition of
appropriating the whole island of Saghalien to Russia.
2. All the fisheries now belonging to the Japanese on the island of
Saghalien will in the future remain in their enjoyment.
3. To concede to Japan complete and indisputable possession of the
island of Uroop, now belonging to Russia, with three neighboring
small islets called Tcherpry, Brother of Tcherpry, and Broton.
4. In case an understanding concerning the former articles should
prove impossible, the island of Saghalien will remain as before, in
common possession.
Both parties not having come to an understanding on this subject, the
island of Saghalien is left as before, in common possession, and the
following temporary regulations are agreed upon in order to promote
peace and good intelligence between the subjects of both states:
Article I. Russians and Japanese on the
island of Saghalien shall maintain peaceful and friendly relations.
The settlement of any disputes and misunderstandings arising,
intrusted to the local authorities. If these local authorities
cannot settle the dispute, it shall be submitted to the nearest
Russian and Japanese governors.
Art. 2. In consequence of common
possession, Russian and Japanese are at liberty to circulate upon
the whole island, to make settlements, and to erect buildings in all
localities not yet occupied by buildings, industrial establishments,
or gardens.
Art. 3. The indigenes of the island have
the full and free enjoyment of their personal rights, as well as of
their properties. They can, by their own agreement, be hired by
Russians or Japanese. Indigenes having contracted debts or cash or
goods, or being in debt at the present moment towards Russians or
Japanese, are allowed to cancel them by work or services, for any
term previously determined, if they are willing.
Art. 4. If the Japanese government should,
in the course of time, agree with above-mentioned proposals of the
Russian government, the nearest local governors will be appointed to
negotiate a final treaty.
Art. 5. The above-mentioned regulations are
to be applied from the moment of their reception on the island of
Sakhalin by the local authorities—i. e, no
later than six months after their signature.
All other less important questions not mentioned in the present
regulations shall be resolved by the local authorities of both
states in the same manner as before.
In witness whereof the plenipotentiaries of both parties have signed
these temporary regulations, and caused their seals to be
affixed.
An English translation is joined to the present, duly signed by the
interpreters of both parties.
KORDE YAMATO NO KAMI.
ISAKAWA SUMGA NO KAMI.
STREMOONKHOW.
St. Petersburg,
March 18, 1867, (corresponding with
Keio 3d year Hiuoto, on the 25th day of the 2d
month.)
