The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-11-21


government has anticipated the recent
offers of China to the foreign powers
m finnish the complete official CORE
spondence leading up to the present
war. and has itself made public this
correspondence. 1t is published in full
as q part Of the recent proceedings OF
The Jauanese diet, which have been re-
ceived by the japanese legation mere.
The most of the controversy has al
ready been made known to the public,
hut the official letters between China
and Japan give the first account OF
the sharp diplomatic fencing between
the countries up TO few days before
the war. The letters run from June I
TO July IA.
They are numbered from l to 9.
n. l is from Wang, Chinese minister
10 Japan. 1t informs Japan that tel
epram has been just received from Ii
Hung Chang, stating the Corean gov
eminent has requested China to SEND
troops to suppress a rebellion Of the
Tong Haks.
Viceroy Ii, it says, considers the re-
bellion serious and therefore complies
with the request for troops to protect
our tributary state" first notifying
Japan, in accordance with a treaty
provision, that each shall inform the
other before entering Corea.
Nc. 2 is from Mulsu, minister Of for
eign affairs Of japan. 1t very point
eddy states:
in reply, I beg to declare that al
through the words tributary states
appear in your note, the Japanese gov
eminent has never recognized Corea as
tributary state of China"
No. is a notice from the japanese
government that it intends sending
troops to Corea to suppress the rebel
lion.
In No. 4. China "shows her teeth"
for the first time. 1t is a letter from
the Teung Ii Yamon, the Chinese cab
met, 10 the japanese minister at Pc
kin. The letter expresses surprise that
Japan should send troops to Corea
when it has not been so requested by
Corea. 1t adds the following signifi-
cant language:
THE sole object of your country in
sending troops is evidently to protect
the legation. consulates and commercial
people in Corea, and consequently il
may not be necessary on the part OF
your country to dispatch a great mum
Der of troops and besides as no appii.
cation therefor has been made by
Corea, it is requested that no troops
shall proceed to the interior of Corea
SO they may not cause alarm to hel
people, and, moreover. since it is feared
that in the event the soldiers of the
two nations should meet on the way
cases of unexpected accidents might oc.
cur owing TO the difference 'of language
and military etiquette, we beg to re-
quest in addition, that you will be good
enough to telegraph the purport of this
communication to the governments OF
Japan"
Number five is Japan's answer to the
Tsung Ii Yamen in which Japan also
shows her teeth. 1t says:
LAS to the number of troops to bt
sent to Corea. the japanese government
is compelled to exercise their own judg
Tnent. Although no restriction is PLACED
upon the movement of the Japanes,
troops IN Corea. they will not be sen
where their presence is not deemed
necessary. The japanese troops ar
under strict discipline and the Japanes
government is confident they will no
precipitate a collision with the Chimes
forces. 1t is hoped China has adopted
similar precautions"
Number six is an offer to the Japanes
government to join China in a genera
reimbursement of Corea on modern lines
Number seven is C,hina's rejection o.
the offer in which she says:
1.-The idea may be excellent but the
measures Of improvement must be lef
10 Corea herself"
Number eight is from Japan to Chi
na. stating that japan cannot longel
Z 81 egard the law of self preservation
Which impels her to reform the lepio
rable cond ton Of Coraa at the loot G.
her frequent rebelhons.
Number nine is also from Japan t
China, stating that as China mas de
clined to join in the administrative re
form Of Corea, the only conclusion de
ductable is that the Chinese govern
ment lis disposed TO precipitate com
piications."
This closes the correspondence, tbs
last letter being dated eleven days be
fore the Chinese transport kow Shinl
carrying the Chinese troops to Cores
was sunk by Japan. Japan's decIara
ton of war followed six days later
Hn