No. 62 Tokio
May 12, 1882

My Lord,

With reference to my dispatch No. 57, Confidential, of the 20th instant, I have the honour to report that Mr. Hanabusa left Tokio for Korea on the 26th ultimo. As he expected that his voyage to the capital Seoul would occupy about ten days, he will probably arrive there only a very short time in advance of Commodore Schufeldt, who left Shanghai for the same destination via Chefoo on the 2nd instant.
I enclose translations prepared by Mr. Satow of two articles from two Japanese newspapers in the interest of the government, in which the policy of Japan in Korea is discussed. Finding that the United States have resolved to open that country it is urged that the Japanese Government should not lose time in agreeing with the Koreans to a Tariff of Ten per cent. The Americans will be followed by the French and the English, but it cannot be expected that Korea will enter into relations with foreign nations without serious internal disturbance. These relations will in the end prove of great advantage to Korea because she will thus be saved from Russian aggression, but in consequence of the fanaticism of the antiforeign party the establishment of foreign intercourse will at first be attended with some degree of danger. Japan should endeavour to attract the confidence of Korea (which it is admitted she does not how enjoy), and escorting herself to maintain the independence of Korea should be prepared to act in concert with China in order to protect that country from European dictation.
It may be doubted however whether China will be disposed to cooperate with Japan for the above named object, or that her action will be guided by any desire to support the interests of Japan in Korea. I imagine that she seeks, on the contrary, to make her influence in that country paramount to that of Japan, and it is rather with the view of protecting herself against Russia, and possibly also of recovering her position in them undefined way as quasi Suzerain of Korea that she is now interesting herself in the mission of Commodore Shufeldt.
An unfortunate affair has recently occurred at Gensan, the port open to Japanese trade on the Eastern Coast of Korea. A party of Japanese having proceeded, when on an excursion, beyond the Treaty limits of that port were attacked by the Koreans—one of them was killed and two were dangerously wounded. The Japanese press which in opposed to the Government demand that energetic measures should be taken for the redress of this outrage. I add an extract from one of these papers which maintains that it is only by the strong hand that Japan can secure the faithful execution of her treaties with Korea and control the antiforeign spirit which is so strong in that country. Like the Government papers it also observes that Korea can only be saved from Russia by entering into the comity of nations, and that Japan should therefore endeavour to induce her to do so. And in support of the argument that strong measures should be used when necessary, it ass the remark that if Kagoshima and Shimomoseki had not been bombarded by the European Powers at a time when disorder prevailed in Japan, the Japanese would not have made the rapid progress they have since achieved.

I have the honour to be with the highest respect,
My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient, humble Servant,
Harry S. Parkes