Sir H.S. Parkes to Earl Granville.―(Received February 20)

(No. 3 Confidential)
Tôkiô, January 12, 1883

My Lord,

I REPORTED, in my despatch No. 177 of the 30th ultimo, that the Corean Envoys had returned to Corea, and that they were accompanied by Mr. Takezoye, the new Minister Resident appointed by the Japanese Government to the Court of Söul.
I have since learned from the Foreign Minister that the Corean Envoys had desired the Japanese Government to empower Mr. Takezoye to negotiate a Commercial Treaty at Söul. The Foreign Minister, however, had objected to this course, on the ground that any negotiations conducted at the Corean capital would be controlled by the Agent of the Chinese Government―the brother of Ma Taotai―who is now stationed there, and who directs or interferes with all the foreign affairs of the Corean government. He had told the Envoys, however, that Japan was quite willing to negotiate such a Treaty with Corea, the principal object of which would be the arrangement of a Tariff, provided the Corean Government would send a Minister Plenipotentiary to Tôkiô for that purpose; but he clearly intimated to them that Japan could not agree to a higher Customs Tariff than that which Corea had lately accorded to China, and which was settled on a basis of 5 per cent.
He also pointed out to the Envoys that Corea could not expect Western Powers, any more than Japan, to accept a Tariff of 10 to 30 per cent. on their imports when those of China were to be admitted at 5 per cent., as it would be impossible for other foreigners to compete with Chinese under such conditions. He therefore advised them, if they wished to secure Treaties with those Powers, to negotiate afresh with the latter also. He suggested that if a satisfactory Commercial Treaty and Tariff were concluded by the Corean Government with Japan at Tôkiô, the Western Powers might be disposed to negotiate direct with Corea on the same terms.
I observed to his Excellency that I thought he had given the Envoys sound advice, and I concurred with him that the Japanese mercantile communities now settled in Corea would be ousted from that country if their trade was burdened with higher duties than those paid by the Chinese.
His Excellency also remarked that he thought the Grand Secretary Li Hung-chang was going too far in his interference with Corea. He had the impression that he was encouraged in this course by the Representative of a Power at Peking, as that Power was actively engaged in supplying ships and munitions of war to China. I could perceive that his Excellency referred to Germany, but he can scarcely, with justice, complain of that country selling ships of war to China, as I know from himself that the Japanese Government are now in treaty for the purchase of two gun-vessels at Kiel. He observed to me that he could procure these two vessels for 102,000l. without their arrangement, and that Japan required them at once, as only four of her ships of war are at present in a serviceable condition.

I have, &c.
(Signed) HARRY S. PARKES