The record-union., 1895-03-11

the advantages accrulng to her as a mem
Der OF the family of nations, she has per-
haps more frequently denied the re-
sponslbllties of that relation. She has
pursued policy of isolation and distrust,
and consequently her external relations
have not been characterized by that
irankness essential to good neighbor-
hood. Instances are not wanting in
which Chinese Commissioners, after
formally agreeing to international COM
pactS, have refused to atfix their seals,
and cases might be cited in which
treaties solemnly concluded have been
unceremonlouSly and without apparent
reason repudiated.
These unfortunate occurrences find a
sufhclent explanation in the fact that
emma was not on these occasions seri-
ously IN earnest, but beyond that it might
be SAID, with truth, that the officials who
were designated to carry on negotiations
had not been clothed with the power
necessary for the purpose. 1t has from
the hrst been the wish of Japan to avoid
results which history teaches are liable to
be the outcome of negotiations with Chi
nese who are not clothed with full power
IN the sense in which that term is usually
understood. Consequently the Imperial
Government made IL condition prece-
Gent TO any peace negotiations that the
Chlnese pIenlpotentiaries should be fur
nIshed with full power TO conclude peace,
SAAi'A AZ was OHIy upon ISC6lNlIS pOSlJlVo
assurances from the Chinese Government
that that condition precedent had been
complied with, and that the Chinese
pIenipotentiarles were on their way to
Japan, that his majesty, the Emperor of
Japan, conferred upon my colleague and
myself full powers to conclude and sign
preIimlnarles of peace with the Dienipo-
tentlarieS of China.
That your excellency's powers are,
Notwithstanding that assurance, fatally
detective is to me a sure indication that
the Government OF China is not really
sollcitous for peace. Criticism is nearly
exhausted by a simple comparison OF the
two instruments which were reciprocally
exchanged at this board yesterday, but it
IS not out Of place to point out that one
1uInIIs the definition which is usually
given among civilized States to the term
full powers, while the other is destitute
OF nearly all those qualities which are re-
garded as essential to such powers; it
even falls to indicate the subject upon
which your eXcellencies are TO negotiate;
II does not authorize your eXcellencies TO
conclude or to sign anything; it is silent
on the subject of the imperial ratification
OF your eXCellencles' acts. In short. it
would seem that the authority which has
been conferred upon your excelIencies
would be completely fulfilled by you rep
reSentIng to your Government what nv
, =
IN this situation it would be i'm
possible Tor US to continue negotiations.
1t may be asserted that usage is entirely
ignored IN this instance. | cannot admit
the suiilciency of such an explanation. l
dIsclalm any right to interfere with the
pure domestic customs of China, but l
deem II not only my right but nv duty
10 insist that III international concerns al
1ectlng my own country the peculiar
methods OF China shall not yet be the
superior rule OF International intercourse
Ihe restoration Of peace is matter of
the greatest Importance. TO bring about
a re-establIshment OF amicable relations,
1t IS not only necessary that treaties with
that object in view should be signed, but
1t IS Imperative that the engagements
should be fulfilled in good faith While
Japan has found no reason to approach
China on the subject of peace, she never
thelesS feels bound in Difference to that
civilization which she represents to listen
10 any bona ide OVertures which China
may advance, but she will decline to take
part in the future in any truitIess ne
EQUATIONS or become a party to paper
peace The terms which Japan agrees to
VIII be scrupuIOusly observed by her.
and she VIII at the same time insist upon
a like observance of the terms by China,
" heuever, therefore, China finds her.
self seriously and sincerely desirCus of
peace and VIII cOntIde actual powers to
Cnlnese officials, whose names and posi-
tons viii serve as an assurance that the
terms to which they may agree to will be
confirmed and carried out in good faith,
Japan will be prepared to enter upon new
negotiations.
The Imperial Government repeatedIv
declared through the United States repre-
sentatIyes at Toxic and Pekin that the
appointment OF pienipotentiaries with
luI powers 70 conclude peace were an in-
ulspensaDIe requisite to negotiations on
the subject OF peace. His imperial mai
eSty's pIenipolontiaries, however, found
that the authorization which their excel
Iencles, the plenipOtentiaries OF his mai
esty the Emperor of China cUmmuui-
Gated to them on the lst inst, is wholly
ln2uequate for the purpose for W which it is
claimed II was issued. 1t lacks nearly
al the essential attrib butes Of full powers
as usually understood.
The imperial Government has not re-
ceded from the position which it an
nounced TO the representatives of the
United States that IL had taken on the
subject Of full powers, and the imperial
Japanese plenipotentiaries having been
Entrusted by his majesty, the Emperor
OF Japan, with actual, proper and COM
pIete iull powers. cannot consent to treat
with pIenlpOtentlaries of his majesty. the
Emperor OF China, who are ONLY author-
lZed to discuss matters to report to the
lSung Ii amen, and to obtain subse-
quent commands of the throne by which
they are TO be guided.
i nuer these circumstances. it only re-
mains for the plenipotentiaries OF his
majesty, the Emperor Of Japan. to de-
clare the present negotiations at an end,
Hiroshima, the second day Of the sec
ond month OF the 2Sth year of Meiji."