Prince Kung to John Russell Young, November 23, 1883

Prince Kung to Mr. Young.

Your Excellency: Upon the 17th instant you came to this office with Mr. Secretary Holcombe and in person presented a memorandum in three points upon the mode of dealing with the Shameen affair. This memorandum I have attentively considered.

It inquires whether my original proposition meant an arbitration of the losses sustained in the riot or an inquiry into the circumstances of the disturbance.

In my opinion, an examination into the circumstances which gave rise to the riot ought certainly to be made the leading point of any inquiry. These circumstances being correctly understood, the responsible parties ought to be punished as they deserve, and if there are claims for damages there would be no difficulty in bringing the fact to light. I am confident your excellency will agree with me in this view.

In regard to the dispatch received from the several representatives, as it does not agree with my original idea, a separate response has been made to it. I am aware that your excellency transacts all business in an amicable spirit, and that you will be able to evolve a satisfactory scheme out of these two plans.

Cards and compliments.