Alleged spies delivered to-day, as instructed. Translation mailed not
important now. You seem not to understand position here.
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Jernigan to
Mr. Denby.
Sir: I have the honor to verify the
following telegram sent yon in cipher on the 1st:
Denby, Peking:
Seven Japanese students suspected; effects searched in my
presence. Taotai’s secretary present. Nothing suspicious
found. Gone to Japan. Alleged spies same class of students
residing here several years. Their papers only such as
intelligent students would have. Believe them innocent. Try
to arrange for their deportation.
Jernigan.
For two or three years there have been a number of Japanese youths
attending school at Shanghai, and, to avoid the curious, it has been
their custom to dress in Chinese clothes.
When war was declared this custom was not changed, and this is the
ground of suspicion against these young men. Learning that I had
advised them to return to Japan to avoid trouble, the Taotai sent
his secretary to me with the request that their baggage be examined.
No charge had been preferred, but, having in view the interest of
the young men alleged to be spies, members of the same school, and
believing that a failure to find anything suspicious would greatly
tend to their acquittal, I took the chances and assented.
The examination could not hurt the young men owning the baggage, for
they had gone to Japan, leaving a friend to superintend the shipping
of their baggage. This friend was present at the examination with my
marshal.
The result of the examination was a complete vindication of the
students from all suspicion, and some of their papers were similar
to the papers found with the effects of the alleged spies, and were
nothing more than notes taken on geographical subjects.
I do not think the two now suspected are spies. Even if a reasonable
suspicion attached, it would be cruel to behead mere boys for
indiscretions which may have been committed in furtherance of their
educational plans.
I am interested in their case, because I feel that to deliver them to
a native court may be to deliver them to death, and this would lead
to retaliation.
The barbarous proclamation of the governor of Formosa shocks
civilization throughout the world, and it yet remains for China to
disavow the prize money rescript for heads and ships issued here by
a subordinate officer of her arsenal. When the barbarities and
cruelties of the dark ages are sought to be utilized in modern
warfare, it becomes the humane and patriotic of all climes and races
to effectually protest.
I am, etc.,
Thomas E. Jernigan,
Consul-General.
