The herald., 1894-08-18
end, within the limits of their respective
Offices, in O manner not prejudicisl to
international law.

end, within tho limits OF their respective
Offices. in manner not prejudicisl to
international law.
Over 20 years have now elapsed since
our accession to the throne. During
this time we have consistently pursued
the policy OF peace, being deeply inn
pressed with sense Of the undesirable
ity of being in strained relations with
other nations, and have always directed
our officials diligently to endeavor to
promote friendship with sll the treaty
powers. Fortunately our intercourse
with the nations has continued to in
crease in intimacy.
Contrary to our expectations, how
ever, every act of China towards this
country, in connection with the affairs
of Corsa, has been opposed to the
principles that shsuld govern the re-.
lations between friendly nations, and
has been breach of GOOD faith towards
Japan.
Corea is an independent country
which was fret induced by Japan to
open its doors to foreign intercourse and
to take its place smong the nations Of
the world. Yet China has always de-
soribed it as her territory, and has both
openly and secretly interfered with its
internal affairs. On the recent insur-
rection breaking out in the peninsula,
China. on the pretext that ehs meant to
protect her tributary from calamity,
sent troops thither.
We, by virtue Of the provisions OF the
convention of 1885, dispatched troops to
Cores to deal with the emergency, and
also we have made efforts to relieve
Corea from internal disturbances, and
by maintaining peace in that country,
to secure the peace of the east. We
asked China to cooperate with US to
that end. China, however, on various
pleas, declined our request. We there-
upon advised Corea to remedy the
abuses in her administration ard
strengthen tho guarantees of domestic
peace and order, while also perfecting
her privileges as an independent nation.
Corea adopted the suggestions of this
country.
China, however, offered every obstruc-
tion to, and caused delay in the carry
ing out of the reforms, and that country,
moreover, began the preparation Of land
and sea forces with q view to war. On
the completion of her preparations she
attempted to achieve the object of her
ambition with reference to Corea, by
dispatching more troops to that country
and attacking our men Of war in the
Corean seas. She thus acted toward
Japan in an exceedingly lawless fashion.
1t ia now beyond doubt that the pro-
jsct Of China ia 10 destroy the authority
responsible for the maintenance oil
peace in Corea. and to degrade into OBJ
scurity the country which Japan intro
duced to the world Ms an independent
nation; to ignore the treaties which
clearly defined her independent status,
and thereby to injure the rights and in
terests OF japan, and destroy forever all
peace in the east.
Judging from the actions OF China %
far, her scheme must have aimed at the
sacrifice of all peaceful guarantees and
tho accomplishment at ell costs of her
own objects. 10 this stage the situation
has now developed.
Though it has always been our desire
to maintain peace with &ll nations, and
in doing so 10 add to the glory of our
empire at home and abroad, We have no
course open to us but to declare war, in
the hopo that We may be able to restore
peace in good time and thus to vindi-
cate the prestige of Japan by the loyalty
and bravery OF our subjects.
Advices have been received OF the
capture by the Japanese OF Ii Hung
Chang's old and favorite dispatch boat
Bang Yang.
1t is reported that the government OF
Corea has ormally notified Japan of her
intention to sever all connection with
China. The Japanese preparations for
the bombardment of the Woo Sung,
China, forts are rapidly nearing compile.
tiOn.