No. 434.
Mr. Bingham to Mr. Fish.
Tokei, June 3, 1874. (Received July 6.)
Sir: It seems to me important to communicate to you the fact that the prime minister, Sanjo, who in April made and withdrew a proclamation of hostilities against Formosa, on the 22d of May issued a new notification, as it is termed, a copy of which I herewith inclose.
It is clear to my mind that the landing of an armed expedition in Formosa under this proclamation, for the purposes therein declared, imposes upon China the necessity of deciding whether it shall be considered an act of war. On this point I had some conversation with the minister for foreign affairs on yesterday, He said to me that the government had information of the landing of the Japanese troops on the southeast of Formosa, where they had been attacked by the Bontons, who were repulsed after some loss of life on both sides. He also said that he had received the further imformation that the Chinese government had despatched a gunboat to Formosa, carrying a high, commissioner, with instructions to treat with Saigo, who is in command of the expedition.
I could not gather from the conversation that the minister had any assurance that China would acquiesce in the armed occupation of any portion of the island for any considerable time by the Japanese forces. He intimated, however, that the government awaited communications directly from the Japanese envoy, who is reported to have arrived in Peking.
In my No. 78, of April 24, I informed you of the fact that the minister for foreign affairs, upon my protest against the employment of American citizens and vessels in hostile operations against China, had detached the steamer New York from service in this expedition. I omitted to state the fact that the agent of the Pacific Mail-Steamship Company, Mr. Center, called upon me and signified his desire that the steamer [Page 685] should be so detached, and his entire approval of the order of the Japanese government detaching it from the service. After the order had been sent forward by the minister for foreign affairs, Mr. Center again called upon me and expressed apprehensions that the soldiers of the expedition and the officers in command then at Nagasaki would, in disregard of the order, force the ship to sail with the expedition to Formosa. He requested me to notify our consul at Nagasaki, Mr. Man gum, and request his aid in enforcing the order of the foreign office. In compliance with this request, I delivered to Mr. Center, to be forwarded at his expense, a telegram to Mr. Mangum, informing the latter gentleman that the steamer New York had been detached by order of the Japanese government from the Formosa expedition, and that he should accordingly detain her in port. I am not advised that he had occasion to intervene; but, as I before informed you, the steamer was, in obedience to the orders of the Japanese government, discharged from that service.
In this connection I beg leave to inform you that some days since Mr. Lung Wing, appointed by the government of China commissioner of education for the instruction of Chinese youths in the United States, called upon me and stated that he was instructed by the governor of Shanghai to thank me for intervening to prevent the employment of the American vessel, New York, in the Formosan expedition. I also learned from him that the Chinese government had a considerable number of troops in Formosa, and also a number of gunboats in the adjacent waters, and he seemed to be of opinion that, unless the Japanese speedily left the island, or gave assurance to the Chinese government of their intention to remain but temporarily, there would result a conflict of arms between the Japanese and Chinese forces.
I await with interest your instructions upon these important matters, involving, as they do, our treaty obligations both to Japan and China.
I am, sir, &c.,