Memorandum handed by the ministers of the Yamen to the representatives of the five powers, March 4, 1875

Memorandum handed by the ministers of the Yamen to the representatives of the five powers

1. On the 2d instant consent was given on the part of the ministers of the five powers, with [the chargé d’affaires of] Spain, to the effect that those persons of literary status or official rank, and those who are the sons or relatives of families of distinction, who have been abducted and ill-treated [and who are now in the island of Cuba] as cooly laborers, being persons who should not be under contract for labor, shall, as a preliminary measure, be sought out and sent back to China. After being subjected to examination by the Chinese government, to test the authenticity of their statements, they are to be returned to their respective homes.

2. The opinion formed in consultation by the foreign ministers in 1873 was, in general terms, to the effect that if it should prove to be the case the Chinese laborers in Cuba were not suffering under ill-treatment, indemnification ought to be agreed to, and emigration ought to be permitted; and that if it should prove to be the case that ill-treatment exists, then indemnification should not be agreed to, and emigration should not be permitted to continue.

The commission of inquiry having now handed in its report, such portions of the document as have been printed off have already been sent [to the foreign ministers] for perusal. It is now requested that, apart from the question of the repatriation of the persons of official status, &c., referred to in the preceding clause, the ministers of the five powers and of Spain will consider and decide what action is to be taken with regard to those who have been ill-treated and have died, and those who have been ill-treated and whose contracts have expired, as also those whose contracts have not expired.