The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-14
THE STORY OF H1DEYosH1.
How He Invaded the Hermit Kingdom
and What Game of II
From the London Daily Telegraph.


From the London Daily Teleeraph
The only authentic record of a previous
invasion of Corea by the japanese. involv-
ing war with China, is that of 1892.
Hideyoshi, a japanese of iguoble birth,
but of great military proves, had gained
supreme power, under the emperor. in
his own country. He determined TO seek
for fresh fields of military glory in the
neighboring kingdom of China and to take
up the gauntlet which mad been thrown
down more than three centuries before by
Kublai Khan, when, assisted by Corean
troops, that emperor had attempted an
invasion of Japan in 1881. His first step
was to found a quarrel with the Coreans.
on the fact that the periodical embassies
from Corea bearing presents to the Jap
snese court had for some years been in
termitted. After ENJOYS had been re-
peatedly sent to COrea complaining of
this neglect, the king of Corea at length
despatched an embassy TO Japan with the
customary gifts. The envoy, however,
was treated with but scant courtesy by
by Hideyoshi, and, in a farewell inter
view, the ultimate aims of the latter
were revealed.
TO ATTACK TIE GREAT MING.
He had shortly before lost by death,
his only son, and referring to this, he ex-
plains that he will no longer waste the
snort years of his life in unavailing sor-
row, but assembling a mighty host. will
invade the country of the Great Ming"
Il will I'LL, were his grandilOquent
words, with the hoar frost from nv
sword the whole sky over the 400 prov
inces. My expectation is that Corea shall
be my vanguard, and my friendship with
your country depends entirely upon your
conduct when l lead my army against
China"
nj, a ;v,,as;o, 80 C.o,oo o,.o.a g.. ~ .
inability of the government to comply
with Hideyoshi's request and take up
arms against her powerful neighbOr Ac-
cording to the lowest japanese estimate
the NUM- Der of troops that crossed over
into Corea was 10000. At the first onset
the Japanese forces carried everything
before them and the king was forced to
fly. Soon, however, Chinese army took
the field, and in the first general engage
ment the Japanese troops, after strug-
gle lasting over two days, retreated with
loss of l, 900 men. a month later, how
ever, owing partly to superior tactics,
partly to their skillful use of the cele-
brated two-handed sword, the japanese
gained a decided victory. The winter
rains put a stop to any vigorous attempt
to reap its fruits, and by the spring both
sides, having equally suffered from lack
of supplies in a country little able to sup
port the burdens of double army of oc-
cupation, were anxious for peace.
ANGER AT TIE FEAST.
The ineffective negotiations which fol-
lowed are very amusing. We see in them
what has always been the real cause of
the i'll feeling that has existed between
the two countries The japanese envoy
to Pekin, with much difficulty, was per
suaded to give his assent to the following
clauses of treaty.. Hideyoshi to re-
ceive investiture from the Chinese en-
peror. 2. The japanese TO evacuate
Corea. --...-.
In accordance with this treaty Chi
nese envoy was despatched to Japan,
bearing with him the robes of iuvestiture
and a crown, together with the written
deed. Hideyoshi gave grand banquet
to the envoy, at which he presided, at
tired in his new robe and wearing the
crown. He himself was unable to read,
but when the banquet had terminated he
called to his aid two learned priests, and
then for the first time understood to what
he had committed himself
I'VE" so the document runs, especially
invest you with the dignity of ruler of
Japan and have sent our commission for
this purpose. We also send you crown
and a robe, in order that you may, so far
as costume is concerned, be in agreement
with our ancient custom. Be careful to
act in a manner worthy of your position
as our minister Be grateful for the i'm
perial favor thus bestowed upon US. Fol
low always our orders"
Hideyoshi's rage when he thus earned
the full purport of the ceremony was
great, and the envoy was sent back to
China in disgrace, without any answer,
and the war in Corea was resumed and
carried on, with varying fortune, until
HideyoShi'S death, in 1888, put an end to
the struggle, and the Japanese forces
were, in accordance with his dying in
structions to his successor, finally with
drawn from the peninsula. Since then
the three sister kingdoms have, with
slight exceptions, lived on terms of peace
with each other.