SANJO SANEYOSHI, Daijo Daijin to Their Honors the General Prefect and the Taotai of Taiwanfoo , Island of Formosa, September 28, 1874

Notification of No. 127 as to Formosa.

To the In, Sho, Shi, Fu, and Ken:

An expedition against the barbarous part of Formosa was announced in notification No. 65 of May last, and on the 22d of that month the commander-in-chief, Saijo Yorimichi, arrived there. The troops had arrived some days previously. They entered the territory of the savages, and were exploring its lands and waters when they were suddenly fired upon by them. Our troops then, attacked them, and put them to rout. Eighteen heads of villages gave in their submission, one after another, and almost the whole savage territory was reduced to peace. We were thereafter engaged in preparing preventive measures for the future, when the Chinese government persistently objected. Yanagiwara Sakimitsu, our envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to that country, was therefore instructed to discuss the matter with the Chinese government, and numerous written communications and conferences were held. The further special step was then taken of dispatching to China Okubo Toschimichi as high commissioner plenipotentiary. It is, of course, the aim of His Majesty that these negotiations shall result in a peaceful settlement and’ in the preservation of amicable relations, but preparations are at the same time being made to meet any emergency in case circumstances leave us no other alternative than to do so.

His Majesty will give you his further commands with reference to the result of the negotiations to be conducted henceforward by our high commissioner to China.