No. 167.
Mr. Seward
to Mr. Cadwalader.
United
States Consulate-General,
Shanghai, August 31, 1874.
(Received October 12.)
No. 802.]Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you herewith a
copy of a letter which I have addressed to the legation, covering an
identical note from myself and several of my colleagues to our respective
superiors, in regard to the neutrality of the foreign settlements in China
and Japan in case of war, and to the immunity of our commerce.
I am, &c.,
GEORGE F. SEWARD,
Second Assistant
Secretary.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 802.]
Mr. Seward to Mr.
Williams.
United
States Consulate-General,
Shanghai, August 29,
1874.
No. 391.]Sir: The Tautai lately visited rue, and I
believe the English and French consuls on the same day, and in
conversation raised the question, how far the neutrality of the foreign
settlements here would, in case of war, be guaranteed by the foreign
powers. In consequence of this visit I consulted with the British,
German, and French consuls, and we have agreed to transmit severally to
Peking, a letter which has been drafted by Mr. Medhurst, and which, as I
wrote yesterday in a private note, went forward yesterday to Mr. Wade,
my draft being at the moment in the hands of M. Godeaux.
I have brought the subject of this draft before the Tautai, and at a
later moment Mr. Medhurst has communicated the same to him in writing. I
understand that the Tautai was to send forward the draft furnished to
him by Mr. Medhurst by yesterday’s steamer.
My colleagues appear to fear that the Chinese will attempt, in case of
war, to sink ballast-laden hulks upon the bar at Woosung. As our treaty
provides for the immunity of our commerce in case of war, that is to
say, on the Chinese side, I imagine that the strongest protest could be
made against the proposal, which, moreover, is discountenanced, I think,
by the feelings of the civilized world.
As my colleagues are disposed to believe that, notwithstanding our
treaty, the Chinese in exercise of their right of self-preservation
could not be greatly opposed in thus obstructing the bar, I suggest that
this question should be considered by you.
I shall send a copy of the draft-letter inclosed to Mr. Bingham.
I have, &c.,
[Page 340]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 802.]
Draught of an identical note to he sent by each
consul to his ministerial representative at Peking.
Sir: The probability of a war between China and
Japan having of late attracted much attention, and the possibility of
such a contingency not having by any means passed over, it has occurred
to myself and some of my colleagues to consider what would be the
position of the foreign settlements of Shanghai in such an unfortunate
event, and how far it would be expedient to adopt such precautions as
may render that position a comparatively safe one.
It does not need any extraordinary foresight to predict that Shanghai,
from its importance as a commercial center, and from its proximity to
one of the few arsenals which China possesses, will become a focus of
attack in case of hostilities being declared, and in that event the
foreign settlements will at once be exposed to extreme danger, inasmuch
as they stand (that portion called British more especially) exactly in a
quarter where any outworks necessary to cover the city from hostile
approach by the river must be constructed. No move has as yet been made
by the Chinese toward the utilization of this strategical position, but
they may at any moment see fit to occupy it; and should they do so, and
hostilities supervene, the consequences to neutral life and property may
be very serious.
The conclusion appears to myself and colleagues obvious, that, if such a
sacrifice can be in any way averted, no effort ought to be left untried
to accomplish it; and the alternative we would venture to propose is,
that advantage should be taken of the presence in Peking of a Japanese
minister plenipotentiary to negotiate for the neutralization of the
ground covered by the foreign settlements, and a stipulation that
nothing shall be done on either side to endanger the safety of the
residents therein or of the property in their keeping.
The Taotai of this place, it is believed, will be quite willing to give
his consent to this proposition, and I beg to submit it to your
excellency, in conjunction with such of my colleagues as are more
directly interested, and each of whom has addressed an identical note to
his minister, in the hope that the scheme may meet with your favorable
consideration.
I may refer here to the twenty-sixth article of the United States treaty
with China, which provides for the immunity of American commerce in case
of war, and to suggest that such further negotiations may be undertaken
with the Japanese as will render this provision operative as far as they
are concerned; and in this connection it may be mentioned that the
Chinese are likely to obstruct the Woosung Bar in case of war unless
some means are adopted to prevent them from taking this course.
Various and serious questions, it must be confessed, will be involved in
the adoption of the proposed measure, but as these must of necessity
occur to your mind, and their discussion scarcely comes within my
province, I prefer to submit the simple proposition free of all argument
or remark. My colleagues agree with me that it is also beyond our
province to propose that any arrangement arrived at will embrace all the
foreign settlements in China and Japan, but it may not be amiss to point
out how obviously desirable such an extension would be.
