No. 102.
Mr. Young to Mr.
Frelinghuysen.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, December 12, 1884.
(Received February 16, 1885.)
No. 574.]
Sir: A conspicuous incident of the affair at
Foochow was the gallantry shown by several of the young Chinese students who
had been educated in the United States and were afterwards assigned to duty
in various branches of the Government service. Five were, as is reported, on
the Chinese gunboats during the action at Foochow, and one of them lost his
life.
The Department will have learned from my dispatch No. 148, dated March 13,
1883, of the interest which the legation has taken in the fortunes of the
young men who studied in the United States, and my deep
[Page 145]
regrets at the cessation of that educational
experiment, whenever occasion served, and it could be done in a becoming
manner. I have expressed this regret to the prince and the viceroy, in the
hope that I might revive an interest in the subject and persuade the
Government to send more students and perhaps establish the system on a
permanent basis.
The main objection to the education of the young Chinese in America was the
allegation that they became denationalized; they forgot the customs and even
the language of their own country, and returned Americans in feeling and not
Chinamen. This was an argument that I could not answer, except by the
general assertion of my belief that the more thoroughly acquainted Chinamen
became with the literature, science, arts, and laws of the United States the
better it would be for China.
When it appeared, therefore, at Foochow, that these “denationalized” students
had shown conspicuous bravery and patriotism; that an education in America
had really made them able to render their country an essential service, I
brought the matter again to the attention of the prince and the viceroy in
an informal conversation. His highness saw the force of the illustration,
which events made it in my power to advance, and gave me to understand that
the question of reviving the educational system in America would, as soon as
French affairs were adjusted, have his careful and most favorable
consideration.
After the conversation I addressed his highness an informal note, in order
that the subject may be a matter of record in the legation for the
convenience of my successors who may care to revive it. This and the reply
of the prince will be found as inclosures to this dispatch.
Trusting that my action will meet with your approval,
I have. &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 574.]
Mr. Young to the
foreign office.
Legation of the United States,
September 2, 1884.
Your Imperial Highness and Your Excellencies:
The American minister presents his compliments to his imperial highness
the prince and their excellencies the ministers of the yamên, and begs
to state that he has noticed an account in the foreign newspapers to the
effect that in the fight which occurred between the Chinese and the
French forces at Foochow the Chinese displayed bravery in fighting for
their country, and conspicuous among those who distinguished themselves
were five of the students who were educated in America and who were
serving on board the Yung Wu. These students showed ability in firing
their guns and fought to the very last, fearless of death, and they did
not leave the vessel until she commenced to sink, when they jumped into
the water and swam for their lives. One of the students, nephew of Mr.
Yung Wing, late assistant minister of China to the United States, was
killed.
The American minister desires to express to his imperial highness and
ministers of the yamên his deep sense of regard for the bravery of these
young men. It has been stated that it was to be feared that these
students in undergoing a system of foreign studies would not prove of
any great service to their country, but judging from these recent acts
above recited it is manifestly evident that they have done great service
to China, and that their education in the United States has not proved
fruitless. They have fully shown themselves not only worthy of their
country’s favor, but they have also shown themselves brave.
It cannot, therefore, be said that they are of no service to their
country. It is the hope of the American minister that the Government
will, in future, at the proper time,
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again favorably consider the question of sending
another group of students to America, as events have confirmed the
opinion he has expressed to your highness that the education they would
receive would be of benefit to China.
In sending this note the American minister hopes that it will receive the
favorable consideration of his imperial highness and their excellencies
the ministers of the yamên.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
574.—Informal.]
The foreign office to Mr.
Young.
Your Excellency: On the 2d September we
received a note from your excellency wherein you stated that you had
read an account in the foreign newspapers to effect that five of the
Chinese students (who were educated in America) serving on board of the
Chinese vessel Yung Wu had displayed themselves in firing the guns of
that vessel during the fight which ensued between the Chinese and French
forces at Pagoda Anchorage; that they showed courage, and were not
afraid to die for the cause they espoused; that one of the students was
killed in the battle; and that it was manifestly apparent that these
students were thoroughly patriotic, and that the education they acquired
in the United States had not proved fruitless. And it was your hope that
China would again, at stated periods, send boys abroad to be
educated.
In answer, we would state that the object of sending students abroad to
study is to prepare them for being of service to China, when called
upon.
The prince and ministers feel very much grieved at the loss of one of the
students who fought for his country at Foochow.
In regard to the educational mission to America, the question has been
laid before the throne and is on record. As to whether or not students
are to be sent abroad in future, it will be necessary to first have the
sanction and permission of the Emperor, and then action can be taken in
the premises.
Cards and compliments.
