Prince Kung to To their Excellencies the, April 4, 1875

Prince Kung to the Ministers.

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes a communication in reply:

Upon the 3d of April, 1875, I received a communication from your excellencies, stating that, having received a note from his excellency the British minister, Mr. Wade, to the effect that there was no longer any obstacle to prevent his participating in the discussion of the Cuban question, your excellencies were therefore willing to resume at once the consideration of that business.

The prince begs leave to state that March 24 he received a dispatch from Mr. Wade, setting forth that he had invited the four representatives—of Russia, the United States, Germany, and France—to meet at his legation, in order to lay before them the details of a telegram received by him from the Viceroy of India, and to inform them that, in consequence of the affair therein recited, he could not at present join with them in considering the Cuban matter. Upon the following day (March 25) a dispatch from your excellencies was received, stating that the adjustment of the Cuban question must be delayed until his excellency the British minister could join you, at which time it would be resumed.

Yesterday a dispatch was received from his excellency, Mr. Wade, stating that he was now able to discuss with the other ministers the adjustment of the Cuban question as before; that the four ministers—of Russia, the United States, Germany, and France—were perfectly familiar with all the points in the case, and the protocol of a convention had been prepared by them in conjunction with him; that a dispatch was ready and only awaited translation into Chinese, when it would be at once forwarded for my inspection; that the ministers had most earnestly considered the coolie question, and had devised a mode of adjustment, and if settlement could be made according to this plan it would be cause of great congratulation. But if not, the Tsungli Yamen and his excellency the Spanish charge d’affaires still desired to bring the points of variance before the ministers for arbitration; it would then become necessary to examine clearly as to the basis on which the business can be proceeded with, in a manner different in no way from that already pursued by the four ministers and himself.

Having thus learned to-day that your excellencies are ready to resume the discussion of this business, and his excellency Mr. Wade and yourselves are of one mind, I would therefore request your excellencies to forward the protocol of a convention agreed upon by your excellencies and Mr. Wade, when translated into Chinese, to this Yamen in order that I may consider it. And for the purpose of making this request I transmit this communication in reply.