Accordingly when the "Empress of India" reached Yokohama on the 24th instant, Mr. Bonar sent Mr. Hobart Hampden on board to acquaint the Captain with the prohibition, and by accident he was present when the Japanese police-officer made a similar intimation to Kang Yu-wei himself.

The latter accordingly proceeded to Kobe on board the Canadian Pacific Railway Steamer, but before he arrived there the Japanese Government seem to have changed their mind, and he was allowed to land there under police protection. He was even permitted to join a party of Chinese residents, who, I am informed, share his political views, who were stationed on the bund to witness the passage of the Crown Prince through the Foreign Settlement.

Subsequently he was escorted to Moji and embarked there on board the Japanese steamer "Kawachi Maru" on the 28th instant, direct for Hongkong.

I have informed the Governor of Hongkong by telegraph accordingly.

It appears that the Japanese Government apprehended that Kang if allowed to reside here, would conspire against the present order of things in China, and would be able to enlist the sympathies, if not the aid, of Japanese subjects. Kang himself is persuaded that he would not be safe anywhere in China, and therefore avoided going to Wusung in the Canadian Pacific Railway steamer. His wish was to return from Yokohama to Hawaii, but it seems that this would not be permitted by the laws of the United States.

It is reported in the Japanese press that he proposes to proceed from Hongkong to Manila.

(Signed)

I have, &c.,

Ernest Satow.


Page 706

Share This Page