Mr. Gresham to Mr. Denby, chargé.
Washington, October 23, 1894.
Sir: I have received your dispatches of August 8, 14, 27, and of the 4th ultimo, all relating to the presence of alleged Japanese spies in China and the proposed treatment of them by the Chinese Government.
While your request to the Tsung-li-Yamên that Japanese suspects should not be subjected to harsh treatment is approved, the Department is unable to concur in your recommendation that Japanese convicted of having acted as spies in China should simply be deported. It would seem to be expecting too much that China should so limit the punishment for an offense of this character.
I am, etc.,