Mr. Denby, chargé,
to Mr. Gresham.
Legation of the United States,
Pelting, August 2, 1894.
(Received September 12.)
No. 1905.]Sir: I have the honor to report to you that, at
the request of the Japanese chargé d’affaires, I took charge yesterday
at noon of the legation of Japan and of the interest of the subjects of
Japan in China.
Inclosed herewith are copies of his official request to me, of my reply,
and of the dispatch which I addressed to the Yamên notifying the prince
and minister of this action.
I telegraphed promptly to the U. S. consuls, who had been notified by
circular to expect such an announcement, that Japanese interests had
been placed under American protection, and I sent you a cipher telegram
which I confirm in Inclosure No. 4 herewith.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
1905.]
Mr. Komura to
Mr. Denby, chargé.
Legation of Japan,
Peking, August 1,
1894.
Sir: In view of ray departure from Peking
this afternoon with all the members of this legation, I have the
honor to request that you will at once take charge of Japanese
interests in China, in accordance with the arrangement made between
our respective Governments.
I avail, etc.,
J. Komura,
H. I. J. M’s. Chargé
d’Affaires.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
1905.]
Mr. Denby,
chargé, to Mr. Komura.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, August 1, 1894.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your official letter of this date stating that, in view
of your departure from Peking, you request me at once to take charge
of Japanese interests in China, in accordance with the arrangements
made between our respective Governments.
I have the honor to state in reply that, acting under the orders of
the honorable Secretary of State, I hasten to accede to your
request. I will at once advise by telegraph the consuls of the
United States in China and the honorable Secretary of State at
Washington that you have this day committed to this legation the
interests of the subjects of Japan in China.
This information will also be at once communicated by me to the
Chinese Government.
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
1905.]
Mr. Denby to
the Tsung-li-Yamên.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, August 1, 1894.
Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have
the honor to state that the chargé d’affaires of Japan at this
capital has to day, in view of the state of hostilities which
unfortunately exists between your two countries, requested this
legation to take under the protection of the United States all the
subjects of Japan residing in Chinese territory.
Acting under the authority of the honorable Secretary of State, and
with the assurance hitherto given me by your highness and your
excellencies that the Government of China would consent thereto, I
have acceded to this request, and it now becomes my duty to advise
you that, from this date until further notice, this legation, and
the consuls of the United States at the treaty ports acting under
its instructions, will exert their friendly offices for the
protection of Japanese subjects residing in Chinese territory.
In requesting that this information be communicated to the provincial
and customs authorities, I beg to express the hope that your
highness and your excellencies will not only take every precaution
to prevent outbreaks of violence at the foreign settlements, but
also will issue stringent orders to the authorities of the provinces
and of Manchuria and Mongolia, enjoining the protection of Japanese
subjects who may be traveling in the interior in those localities
and to permit their safe return to the treaty ports.
I avail, etc.,
[Page 99]
[Inclosure 4 in No.
1905.—Telegram.]
Mr. Denby,
chargé, to Mr. Gresham.
August 1,
1894. (Sent 3 p.m.)
War is declared. Japanese chargé d’affaires left Peking to-day; has
placed interests Japanese subjects in charge of legation of the
United States. Outbreak feared Tientsin. Request war vessel.
