The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-11-21
EASTERN WAR
Substance Of the Correspond
ence Leading to 1t.
4 POin ed Answer 10 China's Claim
tha. COrca VAS Tributary State.


WAsnfss4-a. Nog si.-Ths Japanese
government has anticipated the recent
offer OF China TO the foreign powers to
furnish the complete official correspond
snoe leading up To the present war; and
has itself made public this correspondence.
It published sn full US a part OF the re-
cent proceedings of the Japanese diet,
which have been received by the japanese
legation here
The Qist OF the controversy has already
been made known TO the public. but the
pfIiclal letters between China and Japan
give the first account Of the sharp diplo-
natlc fencing between the countries TO .
few days before the war. The letters run
from July % July IA and are numbered
from l too.
No. l Is from Wang, Chinese minister
10 Japan. IL Informs Japan that tele-
gram has just been received from Ill
Hung Chang, stating that the Corean
governments hts requested China to send
troops TO suppress q rebellion OF the Tong
Haks Vieroy Ii, IL says, considers the
rebellion serious and therefore complies
with the request for troops TO protect 'our
tributary state" first notifying Japan
in accordance with treaty provision that
ttch Snhli lhAoIni tho OohoS oeA~A~ sAsoA
ing Corea.
Getting Down 60 business
No. is from Mutsee. minister of foreign
Affairs of Japan. IL very pointedly states;
''In reply beg 20 declare that although
bhe words tributary state appear In your
note, the Japanese government have never
recognized Corea as tributary state OF
China"
n
trnmsnt that 10 intend sending troops to
Corea 20 suppress the rebellion.
In No. 4 China shows her teeth" for
She first time. IL is a letter from the
Tsung Iii Ysnen, the Chinese cabinet, to
The japanese minister at Pekin. The let
ter expresses surprise that Japan should
send troops 10 Corsa when it has not been
90 requested by Corea. It adds the fol
lowing significant language; "rhe sole
object Of your country in sending troops
Is evidently 60 protect the legation, con
pulates and commercial people in Corea,
and consequently IL may not be necessary on
tho part OF your country TO dispatch great
number oil troops, and, besides, as no
spplication therefor has been made by
Corea, Il Ia requested that no troops shall
proceed to the interior Of Corea, since 10 is
feared that. In the event the soldiers Of the
two nations should meet on the way, cases
Of unexpected accident might occur. owing
20 the differences OF language and mill
tary etiquette. We beg 20 add that you will
be good enough 20 telegraph the purport
sfthis communication to the government
" Japan"
Japan's Confidence In Her Troops.
No. is Japan's answer 20 the Chinese
aabinet, ia which japan also shows her
teeth 1t says; "As to the number Of
sroops 20 be sent to Corea tho Japanese
government are compelled to exercise
lhoir own Judgment. Although no re
striction is placed upon the movement of
hhe Japanese troops at Corea, they will
not be sent where their presence is not
necessary. The Japanese troops are under
strict discipline, and the japanese gov
srnment are confident that they will NOT
precipitate collision with the Chinese
forces 1t is hoped that China has adopted
-siIa.-lar- precautions"
No. Is an offer OF the Japanese govern
ment 10 join China In joint readjust-
ment Of COrea ON modern lines.
No. z is China's rejection of the offer,
IN which she says; The idea may be ex-
sellent; the measures OF Improvement
must DO left 10 Corea herself"
No. Is from Japan 10 Nhlna, statlng
that Japan can no longer disregard the
law OF self-prsservation which impels her
So reform the deplorable condition OF
Corea, as tho conditions OF Oores arc at the
root of her frequent rebellions.
No. 0 is slso from Japan 10 Chins, stat
Ing that as China has declined to join In
ths administrative reform OF Corea, the
only conclusion deducible Is that the
Chinese government ais disposed to pre-
sipitats complications"
This closes the correspondence, the last
letter being dated IL days before japan
sank the Chinese transport Kow shing.
carrying the Chinese troops TO Corca
Japans declaration OF war followed six
lays later.