Bützow to Faraldo, June 26, 1875

Mr. Bützow to Mr. Faraldo.

My Dear Colleague: My colleagues and I have not failed to bring to the notice of the Chinese ministers the statement contained in the letter which you were so kind as to address me upon the-instant relative to Article V and the fifth clause of the Article IX of the project for a convention upon the emigration to the island of Cuba.

The ministers, in response to this communication, have informed us that they cannot consent to strike out from the project in question the clauses in references to which you have taken exceptions; and I can only send, you a copy of the ministers’ note in order to acquaint you with the considerations on which their refusal is based.

You are aware, my dear colleague, that we have endeavored in vain to secure the acceptance, by the members of the Tsungli Yamen, of certain restrictions of the principle of the participation by the Chinese in the rights which are conceded to other foreign residents in the island of Cuba, and that we have consequently been unable to arrive at a reconciliation between the demands of the Chinese government and those which result from the peculiar conditions consequent upon your establishing a special rule for Chinese emigrants to the island.

The status of Chinese emigrants in Cuba is the main point in the question of Chinese emigration, and any arrangement of this question is impossible while that point is undecided.

We are unable to see how, in view of the declarations made by yourself and the Tsungli Yamen, our good offices can further serve to bring to agreement the great difference existing between your government and that of China.

Our mediation finds itself in the presence of incompatibilities which we are unable to reconcile; to pursue it, without concessions made on either part, would not serve in any way to lessen the distance which separates the demands of the two parties.

It is with regret that my colleagues and I are obliged to abandon the work which we had undertaken.

But I believe I am able to assure you that we hold ourselves in readiness to give you our co-operation if it can be used in a more efficacious manner than has been possible heretofore.