peace, amity, and commerce" with Japan. From that time the bonds of friendship uniting the two countries have become stronger and stronger with passing years, and it is the duty of all citizens of the United States in this country to see to it that nothing on their part is done to cause reflection upon the people of their nationality. Given under my hand and seal this 10th day of July, 1899. No. 326.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, Tokyo, Japan, July 12, 1899. SIR: Referring to my dispatch No. 325, of yesterday's date, inclosing copies of my notification to American citizens in Japan concerning their condition and duties under the new treaty, I have the honor to inclose herewith copies1 of editorial comments upon the notification which appear this morning in the Japan Mail and the Japan Times. The Times is published by Japanese and is one of the leading papers of Tokyo, while the Mail is the leading paper published by foreigners in this country. Its editor and proprietor is an Englishman. I am informed that the Japanese papers generally are publishing the notice with very gratifying comments. The Government officials appear to be much pleased with my publication in reciprocation of the rescript of the Emperor and the notifications of the Japanese cabinet, and our own people warmly approve. No similar action has yet been taken by the representative of any other power in Japan. I have, etc., A. E. BUCK. No. 329.] Mr. Buck to Mr. Hay. UNITED STATES LEGATION, SIR: I have the honor to inform you that by rescript of the Emperor the following-named ports of Japan are to be opened to foreign commerce on the new treaties coming into operation. The translation of the rescript is as follows: IMPERIAL ORDINANCE NO. 342, JULY 12, 1899. ARTICLE 1. Besides the open ports hitherto designated the following are to be also open ports: Shimizu, Suruga province. Shimonoseki, Nagato province. Shishimi, Tsushima provinc Sakai, Hoki province. Miyazu, Tango province. Tsuruga, Echizen province. Nanawo (South Bay), Noto province. Fushiki, Etchu province. Otaru, Shiribeshi province. Kushiro, Kushiro province. Muroran, Iburi province. 1 Not printed. ART. 2. At the port of Muroran, mugi (barley, wheat, rye, oats, etc.), sulphur. coal, and other commodities designated by the minister for finance only can be exported. ART. 3. If in any of the ports named in article 1 the total amount of imports and exports of commodities comes short of 50,000 yen the said port is to be closed. The period for the closure mentioned in the foregoing paragraph will be publicly announced by the minister for finance three months before. APPENDED RULE. This ordinance comes into force on and after the day of the operation of the law of customs duties. I have, etc., A. E. BUCK. LANDING AT JAPANESE PORTS FOR PASTURE AND REST OF UNITED STATES ARMY HORSES BOUND FOR THE PHILIPPINES. Mr. Hay to Mr. Buck. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, If permission be necessary to land and pasture at Nagasaki or Yokohama United States Army horses in transit to Manila, request it. No. 235.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 3, 1899. SIR: I confirm on the overleaf of my telegram1 of the 2d instant in regard to securing the permission of the Japanese Government to unload horses and mules belonging to the United States Army at Nagasaki for rest. I inclose herewith for your further information copy of a letter from the Acting Secretary of War on the subject. I am, etc., 1 Printed ante. ALVEY A. ADEE, [Inclosure.] Acting Secretary of War to the Secretary of State. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, July 29, 1899. SIR: Referring to previous correspondence concerning the request of this Department to land horses, etc., at Nagasaki, I beg to say in explanation that the Quartermaster's Department is about to send four shiploads of horses and mules from Seattle to Manila, and it is desired that on arrival at Nagasaki, where the ship is to coal, the horses be unloaded for rest. As the quartermaster at Seattle wires the Department that the Japanese consul informs him that it will be necessary for our Government to secure such permission from the Japanese authorities, it is requested that the privilege to land at Nagasaki or other Japanese port, if desired, be secured, it being fully understood that the horses are to be unloaded merely for rest, and to be reembarked as soon as the vessel is coaled. SIR: I have the honor to confirm your cipher telegram received the 28th ultimo, as follows: WASHINGTON, July 25. If permission is necessary to land and pasture at Nagasaki or at Yokohama United States army horses in transit to Manila, request it. HAY. In response to my request, I have received a note from the minister for foreign affairs to the effect that the Japanese Government have no objection to the said horses being landed and pastured, as desired. I have, etc., A. E. BUCK Mr. Adee to Mr. Buck. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 10, 1899. Ask inclusion Kobe permission land horses; transports may coal there. ADEE, Acting. Mr. Buck to Mr. Adee. [Telegram.] TOKYO, August 16, 1899. Landing horses at Kobe allowed. BUCK. ASSISTANCE TO UNITED STATES TRANSPORT "MORGAN CITY," IN JAPAN. Mr. Buck to Mr. Hay. No. 350.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, Tokyo, Japan, September 7, 1899. SIR: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of date the 2d instant, as follows: SECRETARY STATE, Washington: Commander transport Morgan City telegraphs struck rock Inland Sea; beached 90 miles Kobe; probably disabled; soldiers landed. BUCK. Soon after receiving the news from the commander, who desired me to cable it to Washington, I received a telegram from Capt. Onofre Befbeder, commanding the Argentine training ship Presidente Sarmiento, reading as follows: UNITED STATES MINISTER, Tokyo: I have the honor to communicate to your excellency that this morning on entering the northern passage with my ship I found the United States transport Morgan City aground on Innoshima. Immediately on seeing her I anchored and sent an officer to offer my services; but the captain answered that though the ship had a big hole in her bottom, caused by running on a rock an hour before, he needed no immediate assistance, and had already telegraphed to Nagasaki. The troops and crew were in no danger at all. Captain Argentine training ship President Sarmiento. I have addressed a letter to Captain Befbeder expressing high appreciation of his kind offers and courtesy. The next telegraphic intimations, received on the 3d, from Mr. Wittich, in command of the troops who were on the Morgan City, and from one of the quartermasters, were to the effect that they needed provisions, and that they desired "the Japanese Government to permit the purchase of food on credit." Accordingly, by my direction, Consul Lyon, at Kobe, sent supplies early the following morning, and supplies were also sent from Nagasaki, until I was informed by the commander that a sufficiency had been received. Also, the foreign office, at my request, wired to the governor of the locality, Hiroshima Prefecture, to endeavor to facilitate the extension of credit. appears that both money and provisions were lost on board. It Soon after the accident the governor of Hiroshima sent police and medical attendants from the local branch of the Red Cross Society to render assistance, and, it appears, provided communications by steamer between Miura village, on the island of Innoshima, and Onomichi, near by, the nearest telegraphic and railway point on the mainland, and acted throughout with great kindness. I am informed that on the 3d the Japanese cruiser Yoshino, especially sent from the naval station at Kure, visited the Morgan City, asked if she could render any possible assistance, and received the reply that none was needed. The navy department here also expressed to Lieutenant Key, who chanced to be there on other business, their anxiety and willingness to do anything further that might be desired. I shall not fail to acknowledge with thanks their gracious offers, as well as the services of the governor. On the 4th Governor-General Otis telegraphed to me, requesting the facts about the Morgan City, and offering at once to send a transport to convey the troops to Manila. I communicated this offer to the com mander and recommended to him and to General Otis that they consult together by telegraph, which was done, I being convinced that arrangements concerning the troops could be best adjusted by an understanding between those officers. General Otis, he informs me, sent on the 5th the transport Ohio to convey the troops to Manila from Nagasaki, for which place, I learn from the commander, the troops are embarking by a Japanese steamer to-day. A. E. BUCK. I have, etc., Mr. Hay to Mr. Buck. No. 257.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch, No. 350, of the 7th ultimo, confirming your telegram of the 2d ultimo, reporting the beaching of the United States transport Morgan City, and giving further information on the subject. You will express this Government's appreciation of the courteous aid tendered to the vessel and her crew and passengers in the several quarters mentioned in your dispatch. I am, etc., JOHN HAY. NEGOTIATIONS RELATIVE TO THE LAYING OF A CABLE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN. Mr. Hay to Mr. Buck. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 7, 1899. Our present and prospective interest in the Philippine Islands and Guam, joined to the commercial benefits to be derived from a direct telegraphic union of the Japanese Empire and the United States, strongly point to the desirability of creating such communication under American auspices. If you can discreetly ascertain that the Japanese Government is well disposed toward a distinctive American cable, you may represent to the Japanese Government that it will be agreeable to the United States if the Pacific Cable Company of New York be authorized to establish cable communication between the United States and Japan. Mr. Buck to Mr. Hay. HAY. No. 353.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to append on the overleaf reading of your telegram,' dated the 7th instant, to the effect that it would be agreeable 1 Printed ante. FR 99-31 |