Memorial addressed by H.E. Li Hung-chang to the King of Corea upon the negotiations with Russia.
Tdesire with great respect to present to Your Majesty, some observations, in the form of questions and answers, upon the disadvantages which may frontier, between Corea and Rust Ist Q.—Are the frontiers of conterminous, and what distance jarates the two frontiers?
'A.—As far as 20 [i from the mouth of the river T'omen the left bank is the Russian fronffer, and the right the Corean. Beyond that the river forms the boundary of Kirin, 2ud Q.—Since the frontier between Russia and Corea extends for 20 li from the mouth of the river, is it necessary to establish commercial relations on that frontier A.—IE the frontier ete mercial transactions as they are wealth to the peuple; but the frontier only extending 20 li the coast trade aufiices and frontier transactions need nut be authorized, 3rd Q—If Russia tried to force her projects by orme on the frontier what would you do?
A.—As the treaties recently signed between Cores and other countries are commercial ones only, if Russia tried to force a treaty with her, she would be in the wrong, and the other treaty powers have authority to decide who is in the right.
4th, Q.—Have the Russians any other object in trying to establish commercial relations on the frontier, or not?
A.—C-merce between Russia and Corea being so small, Russia certainly has other aim in view, One can easily see the disadvantages following their project. Dujes could not be collected on the frontier well as by the Customs. Would those bringing merchandise up the Tfomen in hips be considered as laud or sea traders? here being only one barrier on that froneae it would be very dificult to stop smug-
Sth Q.—What is the chief aim the Rus-us have?
They mean to encroach on Corea on rel. A land trade is cer-quarrels and it la better to have no land trade at all.
—What is the best means of avoiding a quarrel between the two nations?
A.—The three principal causes of fron-quarrels are (1) Building forts and ning troops on the frou!
(2) Receiving fugitive and hiding them in the int (8) Recoiving fug from neighbour. ing countries and nuturalizing them.
The law of nations forbids the building of forts on the frontiers. There are between all nations laws of extradition, and iminals, the worst of whom are those who rebellion, should be handed over to their authori Unless Corea law of extradition with a, th 6 will arise many causes of quarrel. Even if Corea made such alow with Russia, it would not be kept by Kussia in the same way as by the Corean Government, for at present there are two parties in' Coren, Conservative and Progressiva. These parties profiting by frontier trade will pass over the frontier, and tore with impunity will await favourable opportunities, therefore the first thing Corea would hi would be to establish barriers on tier to exami who wish to p Ww permit their nationality, and Russia would eagerly seize poor Coreans to people their vast plains, saying they were doing them good.
Tth Q.—OF what importance to Chin: the establishing of a frontier trade between Russia and Corea?
A,—As the boundary of China next these two count: only 20 fi from the mouth of the 'IYomen, an able Commissioner would to be sent at once to reside it it and guard it.
would be useless where once is had commenced their eucroachments.
As the question of frontier commerce is of the greatest importance, I shall be happy if Your Ma; 1 your attention under the form of a conversation between two persona, Following these questions and answers are some remarks and advice from Li Hung-chang. If Russia is bent on uegotiating a treaty with Corea, the latter should choose an intelligent representative who shall explain to the Russian envoy that she will allow trade on the frontier, but the details will be arranged after: wards, The place fixed on for this trade being so near China, that power should be consulted, and the occasion should be taken for arranging the principal point, which is to settle -the question of fugitives by international law; and if you have to carry on the negotiations verbally, have them written down. doubtful if the Coreans will obtain a satisfactory result, x8 both modern and ancient history show the injustice of strong powers towards weaker oner, And even if the Coreans derive great benefits from the frontier trade, they will not find them a compensation for the troubles it will cause, What will it be then if Corea derives no benefits! If the Russian mission returns Europe without having negotiated the treaty, Corea will soon find herself in great The treaty ought to be made, but great necessary. LO your Government disdains this advice, it will soon repent of it, Such are the words I wished to aay to you, it is for Your Majoaty to ace if they are right ur not.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.