forces at Yun won, a town 40 or 50 miles to the south of Chon-ju, and defeated, the rebels capturing the guns of the soldiers. Meanwhile the other portion of the rebel forces made a detour and captured the capital, which the King's forces had left unprotected. I had received a reply from Admiral Skerrett to my communication mentioned in my dispatch of May 17, in which he informs me that the greater part of the squadron under his command has been detailed for duty in Bering Sea, and that he is unable at present to act on my suggestion to send a ship to Chemulpo. He adds: Disturbances are continually arising among the people of Korea, but it has generally been found that the authorities have been able to afford the needed protection, and I trust such may also be the case in this instance. As soon as it is possible a vessel will be sent to Chemulpo. I have written again to Admiral Skerrett (see my inclosure herewith), informing him that the rebellion is daily gaining strength, that the Government is helpless to compel order, and that there might at any time be urgent need of a ship at Chemulpo to protect American interests and to make residence in Korea safe; since if the insurgents should approach Seoul they would meet with little effectual resistance. I may add that within the past few days the British, French, Chinese, and Japanese have sent vessels to Chemulpo. I further informed Admiral Skerrett that I would telegraph him for a ship only in case of such pressing need that a favorable response would be necessary to the safety of Americans. I have, etc., [Inclosure in No. 11.] JOHN M. B. SILL. Mr. Sill to Admiral Skerrett. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, ADMIRAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication No. 46, of the 7th ultimo. I am aware of the great extent of territory guarded by your squadron and of the difficulties in the way of detailing a ship to Korean ports, but I still adhere to the opinion that such detail would be most desirable in view of present circumstances. The rebellion in the south. ern provinces, especially in Cholla Do, is growing in strength and daily extending the area of disorder and turbulence. I have official information that within a few days a considerable body of soldiers sent by the Government marched out from Chon-ju, the capital of Cholla Do, and attacked the rebels at Yung-won, a town some 40 to 60 miles to the south. The rebels divided their forces, one part remaining in Yungwhan, defeating the Government forces, killing many and capturing their guns, while the larger force made a wide detour and captured Chon-ju. The King has absolutely no adequate means of restoring quiet by force of arms, and Seoul may at any time become the center of revolution and a most dangerous place for the seventy or eighty Americans residing here. I may at any time be compelled to telegraph you for aid. I shall not do so unless the necessity shall seem urgent and a favorable response necessary to the safety of American interests here. I have, etc., JOHN M. B. SILL. No. 12.] Mr. Denby, chargé, to Mr. Gresham. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, June 9, 1894. (Received July 18.) SIR: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of yesterday's date as follows: China sending troops Korea to assist that Government against insurgents. Without going into an account of the present rebellion in Korea, which has doubtless been reported by the United States minister at Seoul, I feel it my duty to advise you of China's action in the matter. In response to an appeal addressed to China by the King of Korea, through the Chinese resident, 1,500 Chinese troops were shipped from Tien-tsin on the China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company's vessels, the Haan, Tooan, and Hating, on the 6th instant. This force is to be increased to 2,225 men. Three Chinese men-of-war have also been ordered to Chemulpo. The viceroy, Li Hung-chang, only sent these troops after long hesitation, the Chinese resident at Seoul having first requested his interference about a month ago. He insisted on an express request for assistance from the King of Korea, so that the responsibility for the movement should rest upon him. The viceroy has formally assured the Japanese Government that these troops shall be withdrawn immediately upon the cessation of hostilities, and he has made the same assurances to the Russian minister here. He has also stated to Japan that he would be pleased to have that Government send one or two gunboats to Korea to protect its subjects there. It is understood that the Chinese force will be primarilly used to prevent the approach of the rebels to the capital. I have, etc., CHARLES DENBY, Jr. No. 13.] Mr. Sill to Mr. Gresham. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Seoul, Korea, June 18, 1894. (Received July 27.) SIR: Referring to my dispatch of June 1, I now have the honor to inform you that the Korean Government, discouraged by the success of the rebellion in the south, and upon the urgent requests-which to them have the value of commands-of the Chinese representative here, asked Chinese aid, and 2,000 Chinese troops were at once dispatched to Asan, a port in the south. Before they could arrive, however, the Korean troops succeeded in capturing the chief rebels, and a few days later they recaptured Chon-ju, the capital of Cholla Do, taken by the rebels. The Chinese troops have not as yet actively helped in the suppression of the rebellion. Meantime it became known that the Japanese were also sending troops to Korea, and the Korean Government, fearing trouble, asked the Chinese to leave. This they promised to do, but as 500 Japanese marines landed at Chemulpo and came to Seoul on June 10, the Chinese held their troops where they were. On June 13, 800 Japanese soldiers came to Seoul and relieved the marines. These soldiers had arrived at Chemulpo on transports the day before. They also left some 200 troops at Chemulpo and along the road to Seoul, at certain parts of which they threw up earthworks, while they left a guard at the ferry near Seoul and at other important places along the Seoul road. Mr. Otori, the Japanese minister to Korea and China, who went away on leave June 1, returned with the troops. On being interrogated Mr. Otori replied that he brought over his troops for the protection of Japanese subjects and his legation, which seemed quite plausible, considering the fact that there are 1,000 Japanese in this city, 4,000 at Chemulpo, and about 10,000 at Fusan and Wensan, while the necessity of protection was shown them in the loss of about 60 people in the rebellion of 1884 and 40 more in that of 1882. After the rebellion of 1884 China and Japan, by the Tien-tsin convention of 1885, each agreed not to land troops in Korea without first informing the other. The Chinese complied with the terms of this convention, and it is supposed that the Japanese did likewise. Later, on the 16th instant, 3,000 Japanese troops landed at Chemulpo; and now I am informed that they are encamped with batteries upon the general foreign settlement of Chemulpo, without the consent of the other powers, thus wholly ignoring the treaty rights of each nation represented here. I have joined my European colleagues to-day in an earnest protest against this action. The Koreans are terribly alarmed. The King has begged the Chinese to leave, but they refuse to do so as long as the Japanese remain, and the latter positively refuse to leave till the Chinese go. Meantime the Chinese subjects here are so greatly alarmed that 1,000 of them are said to be leaving for China to-morrow, as they fear a general butchery by the Japanese. If the Chinese troops come to Seoul from the south, or if other Chinese troops come to Chemulpo from China, bloodshed will doubtless result. England is said to be occupying Port Hamilton with her fleet. There are twenty-eight men-of-war and transports at Chemulpo, representing six nationalities, as follows: Japan, China, America, England, France, and Russia. We do not know what France, and particularly Russia, will do in the event of a clash of arms, but the Koreans fear them very greatly. Admiral Skerrett arrived at Chemulpo on his flagship Baltimore, June 5, in response to advices from Washington. He sent his flag lieutenant to confer with me, as he was thought to be too ill to come to Seoul himself. I went to the flagship the next day, the 8th, with the lieutenant, and on the 12th, the Admiral came to Seoul with two officers. On the 13th, the King received us in audience, and expressed his gratitude for the presence of an American ship. The admiral returned to his ship on the 15th. He has now promised to remain until things assume a less threatening aspect. There is a report, not yet fully authenticated, that Japan is sending large numbers of troops to Fusan and Wensan. The matter of asylum has already been mentioned. I am giving it my careful and deliberate consideration, and if it becomes necessary to act, I shall endeavor to conform to established usage. I have, etc., JOHN M. B. SILL. No. 14.] Mr. Uhl to Mr. Sill. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, In view of the friendly interest of the United States in the welfare of Korea and its people, you are, by direction of the President, instructed to use every possible effort for the preservation of peaceful conditions. No. 15.] Mr. Sill to Mr. Uhl. [Telegram.] SEOUL, June 24, 1894. Have received telegram. I have already done and will do as much as possible for the interest of peace. Korean rebellion suppressed by themselves. Thousands Chinese and Japanese troops occupying Korea. Neither of them will withdraw first. In their presence there is much danger. Chinese are in favor of simultaneous departure. Japanese stubborn. Ulterior purpose suspected. She seems to desire war. Korea integrity menaced. The King arduously interceding with Government of Japan. Mr. Sill to Mr. Gresham. No. 16.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Seoul, Korea, June 25, 1894. (Received August 5.) SIR: In reference to my telegram of yesterday I may say that I had it all ready when your message was received, as I was aware that for several days His Majesty and his advisers were busy in preparing a dispatch asking for your intercession. It was intended at first to ask only the aid of America in this matter, but lest offense might be taken, the dispatch was sent to each of the foreign representatives here (see copy), asking the kindly offices of each. At once, upon the receipt of this dispatch, I sent off my telegram to you as quoted. In the meantime I joined with my colleagues—the representatives of England, Russia, and France-in a request to the Japanese and Chinese authorities here for a simultaneous withdrawal of their troops. (See copy.) The German representative did not wish to join in this request before informing his Government. I may add that the situation grows daily more strained. The Japanese troops, numbering some 5,000, are encamped with batteries about Seoul, and Mr. Otori is to have an audience with His Majesty to-morrow, when it is said he will ask certain questions which will doubtless bring matters to a crisis. Last night I was shown a telegram to the palace, from the Korean minister at Tokyo, stating that China and Japan, with 5,000 soldiers each, would fight soon on Korean soil. Admiral Skerrett is very desirous of leaving for Japan, and had publicly announced the 23d instant as the date of his departure. In view of the alarming aspect of the situation, I succeeded in persuading him to delay his departure. It would be exceedingly unfortunate if I should be left at this time with our 80 Americans here unprotected, as the greatest personal danger would doubtless be from mob force, over which the authorities would have no control. I have, etc., JOHN M. B. SILL. [Inclosure 1 in No. 16.-Translation.] Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs to Mr. Sill. FOREIGN OFFICE, Seoul, Korea, June 24, 1894. YOUR EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to state that I am directed by His Majesty to bring to the notice of the foreign representatives a certain condition of things now existent in this Kingdom, with a view of its being communicated to the several Governments having treaty relations with Korea. At this moment the troops of two nations, namely, China and Japan, are in occupation of Korean soil. The first, by invitation, to aid in quelling a rebellion; the other, without invitation and against the protest of the Korean Government, but, as represented to me, on account of solicitude for the safety of her own subjects resident here. The necessity for the presence of both of these has now ceased. The Chinese authorities, under these circumstances, are now willing to remove their troops from Korean soil, provided Japan will remove hers. But Japan refuses to remove her troops until the Chinese have been removed, and neglects to entertain any proposition for the simultaneous removal of both. The presence of a large army in time of peace, the landing of cavalry and artillery, the placing of batteries, and keeping a guard at strategic points after internal quiet is assured is a dangerous precedent for other nations and a menace to the peace and integrity of His Majesty's realm. I respectfully submit to the foreign representatives and their Governments that at a time when Japan and Korea are at peace the presence and holding of Japanese armed troops in Korean territory in extraordinary numbers is not in accordance with the law of nations. I am directed by His Majesty to ask that the foreign representatives, being fully acquainted with the facts of the situation, will use their friendly offices, as proffered by treaty, in effecting an amicable solution of the present situation. I have, etc., CHO PIONG-CHIK, President of the Korean Foreign Office. [Inclosure 2 in No. 16.] Joint note from the Foreign Representatives at Seoul to the Imperial Chinese and Japanese Representatives. SEOUL, KOREA, June 25, 1894. YOUR EXCELLENCY: We have the honor to inform you that the Korean Government has asked our friendly offices in the present situation in Korea, and has suggested, as a solution of the present difficulties, |