Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-21
An Official Crime.

nam s VI WV OopthhSSS
student to the Chinese authorities, is
well-nigh general. There is no doubt but
what his action in the matter was most
deplorable blunder. The evidence goes
to show that the charges against these
unfortunate boys were unfounded; never
theless they were put to death by the
Chinese officials, with horrible torture.
The affair is sickening. 1t furnishes adj
ditional proof that W. @. Gresham is a
very small man in very large and re-
sponsible office Even the New York
World, which has been a very steadfast
administration organ, in discussing the
matter is forced to admit that ''our part in
the.affair was distinctly discreditable and
humiliating" In order to understand
this matter fully, it will be necessary
to review briefly the facts that led up to
it.
Two Japanese in Chinese clothing We're
seen in the French concession of Shanghai
on Aug. 10, 1894, by the Chinese project,
who secured their arrest by the French
consul. The French consul delivered them
to the United States Consul General, Jer-
nigan. Their surrender was demanded
by the Taotai of Shanghai and refused
until instructions We're received from
Washington. Mr.. Jernigan and Charge
d Affaires DENLY, the son of our minister
to China, made the strongest representa-
ton possible of the probable innocence of
the alleged spies to Secretary Gresham,
but on his order they were turned over
to the Chinese authorities ON Sept. 3.
Mr.. Gresham declares that the Chinese
minister informed him that the Chinese
government would not try the prisoners
until the return to Peking of Minister
DENLY, who was on vacation. Minister
Yang Yu says he never made any such
statement The Japanese were executed
at Marking on Oct. s, with inhum1n
torture. Their execution was not known
by Mr.. DENLY until Oct. 22,and his report
thereof was not received by the depart
ment of state until Dec. 3.
Mr. Gresham acted upon the assump-
ton that the two students were bona fide
spies, an assumption which the best case
he is able to make for himself; Gnclud-
ing the mutilation at the state depart
ment of two important documents)utterly
fails to warrant On August 26, Charge
d Affairs DENLY cabled Mr.. Gresham as
follows:
The United States consul general re-
ports alleged spies, mere school boys,
peacefully and openly living at Shanghai
l request that be directed to order cx-
aminations by the United States consul
general with Chinese present. China
should not be allowed to inflict barbarous
treatment if guilty.
The foregoing was followed on Aug. ~,
by this despatch from Mr.. DENLY, Jr., to
Mr.. Gresham: as
The consul general of the United States
telegraphs alleged two spies have resided
three years as students. - The papers in
their possession such as intelligent stu
dents might prepare for personal infor'
nation. Suggest consuls of the United
States shall act as arbitrators. | state
many Japanese have worn Chinese cloth
ing without objection, though contrary
to treaty.
Two days later Mr.. Gresham instructed
Mr.. DENLY in the following telegram:
You and consul general at Shanghai
seem to misapprehend nature of protec-
ton authorized. Lending good offices
does not invest Japanese with extra ter
ritorality nor should legation or consul
ates be made asylum for japanese who
violate local laws or commit belligerent
acts. Protection to be exercised UNI
officially and consistently with neutrality.
Consul general should not have received
two Japanese, and is not authorized to
hold them. Your suggestion that our
consuls act as arbitrator not entertained
On Aug. 3, Mr.. DENLY telegraphed to
Mr.. Gresham from Picking:
The United States minister to Japan
telegraphs that japanese government
assures two Japanese are not spies.
japanese government requests China to
take no action until Minister DENLY ar
rives. Will you authorize me to make
the proposition to the Chinese government
or do you order immediate unconditional
surrender to Chinese government?
This request for unequivocal instruc-
tions was answered on the same day in
the following indirect manner:
Your telegram this date received. My
instructions Goth clear.
With the single exception of "the
policy of infamy." the surrender of these
two school boys to torture and death, at
the hands of barbaric nation is the
most disgraceful and humiliating chapter
in the whole history of American diplo-
macy. The action of Secretary Gresham
was dastardly 1t was inhumanly crimi-
nal. 1t violated every principle of justice /;
every instinct of civilization. We are
proud of the fact that the American peo-
pie have denounced it with a unanimity
that SO far as this matter is concerned, has
quite obliterated party lines.