Mr. Gresham to Mr. Denby, chargé.
Washington, October 20, 1894.
Sir: I should have informed you earlier that before the instruction was sent to you directing that the two alleged Japanese spies at Shanghai be turned over to the Chinese authorities the Chinese minister at this capital gave me his positive assurance that they should be detained by his Government and not punished or otherwise dealt with until the arrival of Minister Denby at Peking. The minister has twice called at the Department and assured me that the reports in the American papers to the effect that the two alleged spies had been beheaded by the Chinese Government were untrue.
I am, sir, etc.,