The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-21
WIRE FGGHTING RHPoRTrD.
TIRE nom oF 81, ,ENIIos.
The Ofhcini Correspondence Leading up to
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WASHINGTON, Nov 20.-The Japanese
Government has anticipated the recent
offer OF China to the foreign powers to
furnish the complete official correspond
ence Leading up to the present war, and
has itself made public the correspond
ence. IL Is published In full IA part OF
the recent proceedings OF the Japanese
Diet which have been received BY the
Japanese Legation here. The gist of the
controversy has already been made known
TO the public, but the official letters be-
tween China and Japan give the first ac-
count OF the sharp diplomatic fencing be-
tween the countries up TO few days be-
fore the war. The letters run from June
I'm to July l4th, and are numbered from
| TO ..
No. is from Wang. Chinese Minister to
Japan. II informs Japan that tele-
gram has just been received from ii
Hung Chang, stating that the Corean
Government has requested China 10 send
troops to suppress rebellion of the
Viceroy Ii, it says. considers the rebel
lion serious, and therefore complies with
the request for troops to protect our
tributary State" first notifying JaDan i'm
accordance with a treaty provision that
each shall inform the other before enter
ing COrea.
No. 2 is from Mutsu. Minister Of For
eign Affairs of Japan. II very pOintedIy
states: In reply 1 beg to declare that. al
though the words OF tributary State APP
pear in your note. the Japanese Govern
ment have never recognized Corea as a
tributary State of China"
No. 3 is a notice from the Japanese Gov
ernment that ii intends sending troops 10
Corea to suppress the rebellion.
ca II ua .H
In No. China shows her teeth for the
first time. 1t is letter from the Tsung
Ii Hamen, the Chinese Cabinet to the
japanese Minister at Pekin. The letter
expressed surprise that Japan should send
troops TO COrea when it has not been so
requested by Corea.
1t adds the following significant an
gm ge
'"lte sole object OF your country in
sending troops is evidently TO protse: the
legation, consulates and commercial peo-
pie In Corea, and consequently II may
not be necessary on the part OF your
country To dispatch great number of
troops, and, besides as no application
therefor has been made by CoIea IL is
requested that no troops shall proceed
TO the interior Of Corea 50 that they
may not cause alarm TO her pe)pla. And
moreover. since IL is feared that in the
event the soldiers of the TWO nations
should meet on the way. cases OF unex-
pected accident might occur, owing TO the
difference OF language and military eti-
quette, We beg 10 request, In addition. that
you VIII be good enough TO telegraph
the purpose of this communication TO
the Government OF Japan"
No. 5. is Japans answer TO the Tsung
her teeth. 1t says:
LAS TO the number Of troops TO be
sent 10 CoTea the Japanese Government
are compelled TO exercise their own iudg
ment Although no restriction is placed
upon the movement OF the JAPANESE
troops in Corea, they will not be semi
where their presence is not deemed
necessary. The Japanese troops are nm
der strict discipline. and the Japanese
Government are confident that they will
not precipltate a collision with the
Chinese forces. IL is hoped that China
has adopted similar precautions"
OFF 10 b DU COR 4.
No. Is an offer OF the Japanese Gov
ernment TO join China in a Joint read
justment OF Corea on modern lines
No. is China's rejection OF the offer.
I'm which she says: THE idea may be ex-
cellent, but the measures OF Improvement
must be let' TO Corea herself"
No. il from Japan to China. stating
that Japan cannot longer disregard the
law OF self-preseryation, which impels
Of Corea at the root OF her frequent re-
bellions
No. is also from Japan 20 China. stat
I'm the administrative reform OF Corea.
the only conclusion dedueble Is that the
Chinese Government Is disposed to precl-
pitate complications.
This closes the correspondence, the last
letter being dated eleven days before
Japan sank the Chinese transport Kow
Shing, CARRYING the Chinese troops 10
Corea. Japan's declaration OF war fol-
lowed six days later.