address of Okuma shigenobu, as president of the formosan commission to his majesty, January 15, 1875

address of Okuma shigenobu, as president of the formosan commission, to his majesty.

[From the “Japan Mail” of Seib, 23 January, 1875.]

In the month of January, Shigenobu and others, in accordance with the confidential instructions they had received, laid before your Majesty a project for the chastisement of the savages. In April the Formosan commission (lit. board of affairs of the savage land of Formosa) was instituted, and Shigenobu was appointed its chief, to superintend all business belonging to it. In May the commander-in-chief, Saigo Yorimichi, departed to the land of the savages at the head of a force, exterminated the wicked, pardoned the submissive, and remained there a long time encamped. During the same month the minister plenipotentiary, Yanagiwara Sakimitsu, was dispatched to China, and in August the high commissioner plenipotentiary, Ôkubô Toshimichi, also was sent to the said country, Toshimichi and the others worked diligently and devotedly in the discharge of the important trust committed to them. In October, a convention was exchanged with the said country, and in November, Toshimichi and the rest reported the fulfillment of their mission. In December, Yoimichi returned in triumph. From the institution of the commission up to this date a period of eight months had elapsed. Hereupon the wrongs of the sufferers were for the first time redressed, the position of a subject han for the first time cleared up, security restored to the mariners of all countries for the first time, and the dignity and influence of the state consequently vindicated.

After our troops had started and were on the way, foreign public servants remonstrated. The Chinese government hastily dispatched an envoy, sent letters, and manifested a wide difference of opinion. Some persons, not comprehending the views of the government, began to doubt whether it was justified in the course which it was taking; others discussed the want of funds, and rumor became so noisy that the state was again imperilled.

Shigenobu and the others nevertheless accepted the responsibility, but day and night they were so busily employed that they feared lest their strength might be unequal to the task. Fortunately, the wise resolution of His Majesty the Tenno, never wavered, and the councils of the government became still more resolute. Great military preparations were made, and the mind of the people, both in the towns and in the country, learned to recognize the purpose of His Majesty, Some desired to cast saway their lives and to die for the national cause; others offered to contribute toward the army expenditure. The civil and military officers united all their efforts, and the great work of chastising the savages became an accomplished fact. We have nothing to be ashamed of before foreign nations concerning this measure, and its glory will not pale before the deeds done in ancient times.

If, while public rumor was clamorous, we had hesitated or drawn back, the injuries done to the sufferers would not have been redressed, the position of a dependent han would not have been cleared up, the mariners of the world would never have known security, and a land of cannibals would have been established forever. Had such been the result, we should not only have been disgraced in the eyes of the world, but it would have been a sign that the dignity and influence of the state were about to fall prostrate. Consequently, important interests were involved in the chastisement of the savages.

I humbly pray that His Majesty the Tenno will eagerly carry on the work and carefully ponder; that by reflecting on the past he may be enabled to think out the policy of the future, so as to exalt his wise work to the highest pinnacle and glory, and that he will not stop with the chastisement of the savages.

Shigenobu reverently begs that the name of Formosan commission be now abolished, and himself relieved of the title of president, so that he may attend to the duties of his proper office. As for the collection of the documents of the commission and the audit of the accounts, this he hopes may be completed by the officials of the regular service in about a month, and a report can then be made, together with a detailed account of all that has been done since the institution of the commission.