to action only by means of kind and friendly words. Is it in accordance with right governing principles to employ a large body of troops to oppress the country, and by force compel reforms to be made? Such a procedure not only China would not bear, looking on quietly without doing anything, but all the foreign Governments, it is believed, would also regard it as being wrong and improper.

From first to last frequent instructions have been sent by the British and Russian Governments to their diplomatic representatives in Japan to make overture to the Japanese secretary for foreign affairs to induce his Government to cease further operations. The British secretary of state for foreign affairs endeavored to persuade the Japanese Government to withdraw their troops from Seoul. The Chinese and Japanese forces thus being stationed at different places, in an eventempered spirit, the Korean question could then be discussed. Such a discussion would have been just and right, but the Japanese were overbearing; they refused to give ear to the entreaty made, and sent further detachments of troops to Korea.

The Korean people, as well as the Chinese merchants resident in Korea, were becoming daily more and more terrified and annoyed.

China is actuated by a desire to cultivate and maintain the strongest relations of friendship with all nations, and she certainly would not in a hasty manner commence hostilities, thus causing great distress to human life and bringing injury to commerce.

Although additional Chinese troops were afterwards sent to Korea to give protection, they were stationed a long distance from the capital and did not join battle with the Japanese. For what reason should the Japanese meditate trouble by secret plans? It appears that on the 21st of July, off the coast of Ya-shan, there were several Japanese war vessels that opened fire and caused damage to our transports, as well as sunk the British steamer Kowshing, which was flying the British flag. From a general view such action is unendurable. Although China's earnest wish is to be friendly with other nations, still she would find it difficult now, even in an indirect manner, to compromise matters, and there is no alternative but for her to decide on a determined plan of action.

It is believed that the foreign Governments, on learning of the altered state of affairs, will be astonished and will know where to place the responsibility.

The prince and ministers present the above, being all the particulars, from first to last, of Japan's action in commencing hostilities, which is an act not only contrary to principle, but a violation of international law. They beg the chargé d'affaires of the United States to communicate this dispatch to his Government.

A necessary communication addressed to Charles Denby, jr., esq.

No. 38.]

Mr. Sill to Mr. Gresham.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Seoul, Korea, August 7, 1894. (Received September 12.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I, last evening, received a notice from the Japanese minister here, as per copy inclosed, of the formal declaration of war by Japan against China on August 1. This notice was accompanied by a private note (see copy) informing me that

AP FR 94

Japanese consulates, their legation and subjects in China, would be under the protection of the United States in consequence of the cessasation of peaceful conditions.

I at once communicated this intelligence to Captain Day, of the U. S. S. Baltimore, at Chemulpo, the senior naval officer present. I have, etc.,

JOHN M. B. SILL.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 38.]

Mr. Otori to Mr. Sill et al.

ПIS IMPERIAL JAPANESE MAJESTY'S LEGATION,

Seoul, August 6, 1894.

The undersigned has the honor to inform his colleagues that the following notice has been given by the Japanese Government to all foreign representatives in Tokyo on the 31st of July, and that war has been formally declared against China by the imperial rescript of August 1: Japanese Government having exhausted every honorable means to bring about a just and lasting settlement of differences existing between China and Japan, and those efforts having proved wholly unavailing, the undersigned has the honor in fulfillment of duty devolving upon him to announce to you that a state of war exists between China and Japan.

MUTSU MUNEMITSU,

His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs. The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to his colleagues the assurance of his highest consideration.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 38.]

K. OTORI.

Mr. Otori to Mr. Sill.

SEOUL, August 6, 1894.

DEAR MR. SILL: I have the honor to acquaint you that I have received a telegram from His Imperial Japanese Majesty's minister for foreign affairs that our legation and consulates, their archives, as well as Japanese subjects in China, have been placed under the protection of the United States, those legations and consulates having been withdrawn in consequence of the cessation of peaceful relations between our country and China.

Yours, respectfully,

K. OTORI.

Mr. Yang Yü to Mr. Gresham.

No. 39.]

CHINESE LEGATION, Washington, September 22, 1894. (Received September 24.)

SIR: I have the honor to state that I am in receipt of a communication from the foreign office of the Imperial Government, which states in effect as follows:

Recently, when the King of Korea made formal application to China for aid to suppress an uprising of seditious people in the department

of Chuan-lo, the minister superintendent of trade for northern ports memoralized the Throne in the matter, and, as on two previous occasions similar disturbances were repressed by aid from China, so, in this instance, troops were specially dispatched to Korea, proceeding, without entering Seoul, directly to the departmental city of Chuan-lo, to quell the uprising in that vicinity. On learning of the presence of the imperial troops in Korea, the seditious populace quietly dispersed. After affording relief to the distressed people the said troops were on the point of retiring from the country, when, unexpectedly, Japan also sent troops thither, under the pretext of assisting in the suppression of disorder, but, in truth, she ordered her troops into the city of Seoul, besides occupying important passes, and, by continual reinforcements, she increased her troops to more than 10,000 in number. She even endeavored, by intimidation, to influence Korea to renounce her vassalage to China, and to coerce the King to yield compliance to a series of demands.

It may be observed that Korea has for years been a vassal of China, as is well known to the whole world, and there is record to show that this relationship between the two countries was clearly declared at the time when Korea made her treaties with the several powers. The action on the part of Japan to extort a renunciation from Korea was derogatory to the dignity and honor of China and was in itself a breach of friendsnip hitherto maintained between the two States. It is ostensibly a laudable object for a State to urge a neighboring State to administrative reform, but this should properly be done by friendly advice and persuasion. Intimidation and threat of arms on the part of Japan were unjustifiable. Not only China on her part could not remain passive to such acts, but the Governments of the various powers would not deem them consistent with right.

The Governments respectively of the United States, Great Britain, and Russia made repeated efforts, through their respective diplomatic representatives at Tokyo, to dissuade Japan from her course. The British secretary of state for foreign affairs urged Japan to withdraw her troops from Seoul, station them away from the Chinese forces, and then peaceably come to an agreement with China with regard to Korean affairs. This was a very fair and impartial proposition, but Japan disdained to consider it. On the contrary, she further augmented her force in Korea. The Korean people and Chinese residents in Korea became daily more uneasy and alarmed. China, cherishing a desire to preserve international peace and friendship, had the utmost reluctance to resort to arms and thereby cause destruction of life and detriment to commerce. Although later China increased her forces in Korea to protect her interests, all her forces were stationed far away from Seoul, so as to avoid a conflict with the Japanese forces. But Japan harbored sinister designs. On July 25 last she commenced hostilities by ordering a number of her warships to open an attack upon the Chinese transports off the Korean coast near Yashan;3 she damaged them and sank a British steamship, the Koushing, flying the British colors. This war has been commenced by Japan and upon grounds which, according to the disinterested opinion of the world, are unjustifiable. China, therefore, though cherishing a sincere regard for international friendliness, can no longer maintain her complaisance toward Japan, but finds it an absolute necessity to adopt a determined policy in defense of her honor The Viceroy Li Hung-chang.

The province of Cholla Do.

3 Asan of the Koreans.

and rights. The Governments of the several powers, on receiving intelligence of the recent course of events in Korea, would be, no doubt, much surprised and could judge on whom the responsibility should rest.

The above forming the complete facts and circumstances leading to the war brought on by Japan without regard to law or reason having been communicated to the diplomatic representative of the United States at Peking by the foreign office, I, in accordance with its instructions, have the honor to transmit the same to you for your information and that of your Government.

Accept, etc.,

Mr. Yang Yü to Mr. Gresham.

YANG YÜ

No. 40.J

CHINESE LEGATION, Washington, September 22, 1894. (Received September 24.)

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I am in receipt of a communication from the foreign office of the Imperial Government to the effect that the facts and circumstances leading to the opening of hostilities by Japan having, in accordance with the usages of nations, been made known by the foreign office to all the diplomatic representatives at Peking, and inasmuch as Japan alone is at war with China, while all other treaty powers continue to maintain friendly relations with us, be it assured that all merchants, missionaries, and other subjects or citizens of the friendly powers are to receive the protection guaranteed them by the treaties. The foreign office has, by telegraph, communicated with the minister superintendent of trade for the northern ports in this matter, asking that all the Tartar generals, viceroys, and governors be notified of this by telegraph, so that premonitory steps may be taken by issuing public notifications to prevent any ignorance on the part of the populace as to the real state of affairs to be the cause of any disturbance or trouble.

The diplomatic representatives at Peking also have been communicated with and requested to instruct their respective consular representatives at the various ports to notify their own people to continue the pursuit of their respective peaceful occupations as hitherto, and not allow the impending war with Japan to cause any uneasiness on their part. On receipt of the above, I have the honor, therefore, to communicate the substance of the same to you for your information, and to avail myself of the opportunity to renew to you the assurance of my highest consideration.

YANG YU.

No. 41.]

Mr. Denby, chargé, to Mr. Gresham.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Peking, August 5, 1894. (Received September 22.) SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a translation of an imperial decree which appeared in the Peking Gazette of the 1st instant. This decree explains to the people of China the causes of the war. It is a justification by the Emperor of the hostilities in which the nation is involved. It is published, as he says, "for the information of our

people that they may know that in this affair the action taken by us has been actuated by a sense of the utmost kindness and of what was right and just."

Orders are given to the Viceroy Li to dispatch troops to Korea "to join battle with our foe," and the authorities of the maritime provinces are directed to engage with any Japanese vessels that approach, which, "without regard to number, are to be destroyed and exterminated." The decree concludes with a timely warning against any disposition to retreat.

I have, etc.,

CHAS. DENBY, Jr.

[Inclosure in No. 41.]

A decree issued by His Majesty the Emperor of China, August 1, 1894.

Korea has for more than two hundred years been a tributary kingdom of China, and she has every year sent us her offerings of tribute. This is known to China and foreign powers alike.

During the past ten and more years there have been frequent insurrections in Korea, and cherishing, as we have, a kindly feeling toward a small and weak power, we have on several occasions dispatched our troops there, by whose action tranquility has been restored. We have also deputed a representative to reside at Seoul for the purpose of extending his good offices in the way of giving protection (to the Koreans) as occasion made it necessary.

During May of this year another insurrection occurred in Korea by a rebellious faction, and as the King requested us to come to his aid and help suppress the outbreak, we commanded Li Hung-chang to dispatch a contingent of soldiers to render due assistance. On our force reaching Ya-shan the insurgents dispersed and scattered like stars. But the Japanese, however, without cause or reason, dispatched a force of soldiers to Seoul, and afterwards these were supplemented by additional detachments, making the total of over 10,000 men. Japan's policy was to force Korea to make changes in her system of administration of government. In everything demanded they presumed on their power, and it was difficult or impossible to make them amenable to reason or advice.

Our Government has adopted the policy to tranquilize our vassal domain, but in the administration of her affairs of state we have hitherto commanded Korea to manage them herself. Japan and Korea entered into treaty relations as between two states, and it is decidedly against all reason for Japan by a strong military force to insult and oppress Korea and compel her by such means to make changes in the administration of her Government. The public opinion in foreign countries is that Japan, in sending an armed force, for no proper reason, to Korea, is at variance with the fundamental principle of reason. She has been persuaded to withdraw her troops and to discuss the questions at issue in an even-tempered spirit, but she has been overbearing and refused to give ear to the entreaty made; after all, nothing has been accomplished to the end in view.

Japan has, however, continued to send further reinforcements of troops to Korea. The Korean people, as well as the Chinese merchants resident in Korea, were becoming daily more and more terrified and annoyed, when China dispatched additional contingents of troops for the purpose of affording due protection. To our surprise, while our transports were en route to Korea, they suddenly met a number of Japanese war vessels. Knowing that our vessels were not prepared to meet them in action, when off the coast of Ya-shan, the Japanese vessels opened fire and damaged and destroyed some of our transports. This changed aspect of affairs certainly was a surprise.

The Japanese have, by their action, not only violated treaty stipulations, but they have disregarded the rules of international law. They have also arbitrarily acted in a violent and oppressive manner and have been guilty of treacherous schemes. They are responsible for the commencement of hostilities which, justly speaking, is plain and clear.

We now proclaim this special decree for the information of our people that they may know that in this affair the action taken by us has been actuated by a sense of the utmost kindness, and of what was right and just; but the Japanese, on the contrary, have revoked the compact with Korea and commenced hostility, an act entirely in violation of all principle. Under the present condition of affairs it is impossible for us to show any leniency whatever.