The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-09-06
EnIcT BY THE EMPEROR.
He Claims That Japan Has Violated
international Laws.

International Laws.
San Francisco, Sept. 5.-The steam
ship Belgic arrived from Hong Kong
and Yokohama via Honolulu, bringing
Yokohama advices to August Is, and
Hong Kong to August 1.
At Pekin, on August /, the following
edict was issued by the emperor:
"Corea has been our tributary for the
past two hundred odd years. She has
given US tribute all this time, which is
a matter known TO the world. For the
past dozen years or so Corea has been
troubled by repeated instructions, and
we, in sympathy with our small tribu-
tary, have as repeatedly sent succor to
her aid eventually placing a resident
minister in her capital to protect Cor
can interests. In May of this year an
other rebellion was begun in Corea, and
the king repeatedly asked for aid from
us to put down the rebellion. We then
ordered Ii Hung Chang to send troops
to Corea, and they having barely
reached va Shan, the rebels scattered.
But the Wo Jen ian ancient name for
the Japanese, expressive of the best
contempt, without any cause whatever,
suddenly sent their troops to Corea and
entered Seoul, the capital of Corea, re-
Enforcing them constantly, until they
have exceeded 10, 900 men. In the mean
king to change his form of government.
showing a disposition every way of
bullying the Coreans. 1t was found a
difficult matter to reason with the Wo
Jen. Although we have been in the
habit of assisting our tributaries. we
have never interfered with their inter
nal government. The japanese treaty
with Corea was that of one country
with another. There is no law for
sending large armies to a country and
bullying it this way and compel it to
change its system of government The
various powers are united in condemn
ing the conduct of the japanese, who
can give no reasonable explanation Of
the presence of the army which she
now has in Corea- Nor has Japan been
anenable to reason. nor would she lis
ten to the eXhortauon to withdraw her
troops and confer anlicably upon what
should be done in Corea. On the con-
trary, japan has shown herself belli-
cose without regard to appearances
and has been increasing her forces
there. Her conduct alarmed the people
of Corea, as we'll as our merchants
there. so we sent more troops over to
protect them. Judge Of our surprise,
then, when half way to Corea. num-
Der of Wo Jen ships suddenly APP
peared, and, taking advantage of our
unpreparedness, opened fire on our
transports at spot on the sea coast
near va Shan. and damaged them,
thus causing US to suffer from their
treacherous conduct, which could not
be foretold by US.
LAS Japan has violated the treaties
and not observed international laws
and is now running rampant with her
false and treacherous action. commence
ing hostilities herself and laying her
self open to condemnation by the vari-
Gus powers at large, we therefore de-
sire to make it known to the world
that we have always followed the
paths of philanthropy and perfect JUS
tice throughout the whole complica-
lions while the Wo Jen. on the other
hand, have broken all the laws of ma
lions and treaties. which it passes our
patience to bear with. Hence we COM
7nand Ii Hung Chang to give strict or
ders to our various armies to hasten
with al haste to root the Wo Jen out
of their lairs. He is to send successive
armies of valiant men to Corea. in or
DER to save the Coreans from bondage
We also command the Manchu gen
erals. viceroys and governors of the
maritime provinces. as well as the COM
nlandeTs-in-chief of the various armies.
TO prepare for war and to make every
effort to fire on the Wo Jen ships IL
they come into orr ports. and to utterly
destroy them. We exhort our generals
TO refrain from the least laxity in obev-
ing our commands, in order to avoid
severe punishment at our bands T,et
all know this edict as If addressed 10
themselves individuallv Res,act tg,ic >,