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Books of special value and gift books, when the giver wishes-' it, are not allowed to circulate. Readers are asked to re- port all cases of books marked or mutilated. Do not deface books by marks and writing. Cornell University Library DS 765.E13 1897 Heroic Japan :a history of the war betwe 3 1924 023 145 190 ApARiscHEzHAAR&STEINERTiEICHLER,Sr! LIBRAIRIE ETRANGERE 21 (ancien'^ 9 ) Rue Jac ob VZ6, --^ HIS IMPERIAL MAJEgTY, THE EMPEROR OF JiPiN, D^ (Published by permission of the Imperial Household Department). Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023145190 -^ 2, I. M, HiRU-KO, Of JAPAN, 2!^ Page 22.-Line 8 from the top, for " 24tli " read " 29tli." Page 68. -Line 5 from the top, for " horses " read " hours." Page 85.-Line 3 from the top, (and throughout on this page), foi " Ting Yuen " read " Ping Yuen" also on Page 102, line 3 from the top. Page 209.- Lines 8 and 9 from the top, for "Yalu River" read " Hinglung-kaa." Page 232.-Line 6 from the bottom, for " Oshima " read " Osako." Page 282.-Line 3 from the top, for " Saka " read " Isaka." Page 305.-Line 16 from the top, for " Pashan-hao " read " Ku- slian-liao." Line 10 from the bottom, for " left " read " ri*vht." Page 311.-Line 17 from the bottom, the sentence begining " Some little," etc , should read "Before the Staff of the Second Army Corps entered Wei-hai-wei town, the gensdarmes belonging to this Corps at once began," etc. Page 325.-Line 2 from the top, for " Captain Ching " read " Admiral Ting." Page 388.-rirst line, for " Major General Nozn " read " Major Mozu." Page 422. -Line 12 from the top, supply " and wounded " after " killed;" do. line 15 ; Also in line 15 for " 4 p. m." read " 3 a. m." Page 494. -Line 8 from the top, for " Taka-o " read " Commander of the Takao." St. IDunstan's Ifiousc FETTER LANE, FLEET STREET, E.G. J897 iii'i V HEROIC JAPAN A HISTORY OF THE WAR BETWEEN CHINA & JAPAN BY F, WAEEINGTON EASTLAKE. Ph.D. YAMADA YOSHI-AKI, LL.B. Principal of the Chahtauquan Association of Japan LONDON SAMPSON LOW, MAESTON & COMPANY (.LIMITED St. Sunstaii's lljouse fetter lane, fleet street, e.g. LIi:kA:I;V V .1 J iH)!ti J fiiri: leiitissttiiaeflite PREFACE. The compilation of the present volume was begun shortly after the battle of Port Arthur, and the last word was written on September 2nd of the present year. The undertaking has been of great magnitude, and this for several reasons. In the first place, no precise, correct History of the War has as yet been published in any language. There are numerous Japanese compilations and one or two of foreign authorship. But all these were compiled when the actual facts were still, to a very great extent, unknown, and are therefore marred by serious errors in many particulars. But so far as the present work is concerned, it is absolutely authentic ; for not only have the Imperial Household, Foreign, War, and Navy Departments given the authors free access to all documents, but every word in the book has been thoroughly and repeatedly revised by the Authorities con- cerned, several chapters having thus been written and re-written six and even more times. More than this, the authors have had personal inter- views or communication with the Commanders of the various Regiments; with most of the officers and men whose deeds are enumerated ; with the highest officials of the Bank of Japan, Red Cross Society, Japan Mail Steamship Company, etc., etc., in fact, leaving no stone unturned to make the whole narrative thoroughly trustworthy and free from error even in minutiae. To do this Mr. Yamada has travelled literally thousands of miles throughout the length and breadth of Japan. And just here it would be well to state the manner of collaboration. Dr. Eastlake, the American author, who had, from the inception of the War, been rendering into English and compiling, for local publication, from Japanese periodicals of various kinds, narratives of the heroic deeds and exploits PREFACE. performed by the Army and Navy of Japan, conferred with Mr. Yamada, President of the Japan Chautauqnan Association, as to the advisability of bringing out these storiettes in book form. Mr. Yamada, who was greatly desirous that the Occident should learn the truth about the War and that the labours of his countrymen should be represented with fidelity and exactitude, at once proposed to publish a book on the War, working as co-author with Dr. Eastlake. But upon questioning the Naval and Military Authorities in the early part of 1895, it was found that the larger portion of the narratives taken from Japanese newspapers and magazines was either incorrect or else quite unfounded ; and, what was still more to the purpose, a vast quantity of fine material had never been published, some of the most touching or heroic stories being quite unknown even in Japan. And so it comes that most of the " Brave Deeds " published in the present volume are now made public for the first time. Immediately on learning the real situation, the test of rigid and impartial criticism was applied to what had already been laboriously com- piled — with the result that one-half had to be expunged and the other entirely re-written. The authors have often groaned in spirit on learning that what they considered their best " bits" were untrue or not borne out by the facts. And we must give the utmost honour to the Army and Navy Departments for their excellent conduct in this context. Time and again have they had the authors ruthlessly strike out stories that had found ready credence the Empire over and been quoted and requoted in the columns of the foreign press at home and abroad. Nothing has thus been published but actual fact : fact abundantly proved and amply sup- ported by many witnesses. It was soon found that the mere compilation of heroic anecdotes was insufficient. There must be some outline sketch of each battle, or else the narratives would be unintelligible. And so the next step was the concluding to compile a short History of the War as a whole, the " Brave Deeds" to come at the end of each chapter. In May, 1895, it was con- fidently expected that the work would be completed in September of the same year. And yet nearly every vi'ord written up to that time has since had to be re-written, while a very large portion has had to be struck out. Moreover, the troops were then returning from the seat of war, and each Regiment as it came back was put to the interrogatory, entailing further and vast changes. In March of the present year, 1896, it was positively expected to publish in May, and announcements publicly made in that sense ; yet from the various Departments, Societies, etc., manuscript kept pouring in : so that instead of being 400 pages long — as announced PREFACE. ili in April — our book numbers 526 pages, and even then we have been compelled to add five appendices. We have, however, kept to the main idea of showing the heroic side of this great conflict : and just here an ex- planatory word is necessar)'. We do not — let us state it emphatically — we do not for a moment contend that the many score of " Brave Deeds " narrated prove the superiority of Japan to any other land. We have written these simply to show that the qualities of martial heroism, implicit soldierly obedience, unflinching sense of duty, noble unselfishness and deathless courage are to be found in this Empire of Japan. Withal there is one phase of bravery which seemes peculiar to this country. It is this and this alone which we have tried to emphasize and thus bring to the notice of the world. Many of the anecdotes are simple and unassuming, nor do we claim for them great merit ; they are recorded to let the world see and know that the Japanese are, as a military people, the compeers of the most renowned nations of the Occident. The authors are, at the same time, fully aware of the defects in a work of this kind. The present volume is the outcome of two full years of unceasing, painstaking labour; yet it is compiled underpressure, and this may often be traced in the pages. Were we to begin to thank those who have been instrumental in assisting the compilation of this work, our list would be a long one. All that we can do here is express oiir profound gratitude to the five great Departments of Slate : the Imperial Household, Army, Navy, Communications, and Foreign Ofiice. A word in conclusion with regard to the names of places. We have given the Korean names as written by Koreans, the Chinese as pronounced by themselves. Where, however, a certain orthography has been widely adopted, though not representing the true sound of the ideographs, we have kept — in order to avoid confusion — to the received and popular form. In Chinese names we have hyphenated such terminal affixes as shan (mountain or hill) ; tse, Isuen, etc. (village) ; ching (or cheng, a walled city, a castle-town or bourg); ling (a mountain pass or iiamlet) ; ho (river or stream) ; id, do, or iao (island); /u (city); kau (or kow, mouth — a harbour, port); and many other similar terminations. It must finally be noted that such syllables as kia, kiao or Mao are generally rendered with the softer chia, chiao or cheao. We note that we have given personal names as they are written in Japan : the surname preceding the given name. It is our earnest hope that this book, unpretentious though it be, will redound to the fair fame of Japan the world over; that the West will now learn the true history of the great War, and give the victrix that credit which is so truly^her due. With patriotic ardour as with admiring devotion has iv PREFACE. this book been compiled. And as we write the final words and review in spirit the noble story of tlie War, to our lips also rises the, cheer that so often sounded from the field of battle, above the roar of cannon and the roll of musketry : Tennb Heika Banzai I Teikoku Banzai! F. W. EASTLAKE, Ph. D. YAMADA YOSHI-AKI, -LL. B. September, 1896. ^fABLE OF Contents. ^ ^ PREFACE THE IMPERIAL RESCRIPT TRANSLATION OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPON- DENCE CHAP. I. The Naval Battle at Phungdo . . . . . . Page i CHAP. II. The Battle of Songhwan . . . . . . . . ,, 13 CHAP. IIL The Battle of Phyongyang . . . . . . . . ,, 26 CHAR IV. ThN Sea-FiGHT off HaI YANG .. .. .. .. ,, 75 CHAP. V. The Invasion of Manchuria .. .. .. .. ,, no CHAR VI. The Taking of Kinchow .. .. .. .. ,, 126 CHAP. VII. Port Arthur, THE Gibraltar OF China .. .. ,, 152 CHAR VIII. The Defence of Kinchow . . . . . . . , ,, 182 CHAP. IX. The Capture OF SuiYEN-cHiNG . . .. .. .. ,, 200 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAP. X. Skirmish between Reconnoitring Parties and Battle OF TsAUHo-KAN Page 213 CHAP. XI. The Taking OF ToMUH-cHiNG .. .. .. .. ,, 221 CHAP. XII. The Capture of Haiching CHAP. XIII. The Struggle at Funghwang-ching . . CHAP. XIV. The Battle of Kangwasae CHAP. XV. The Battle and Capture op Kaiping . . CHAP. XVI. The Chinese Attempts to Recapture Haiching CHAP. XVII. The Taking of Wei-hai-wei CHAP. XVIII. The Battle of Taping-shan CHAP. XIX. The Fighting at Kwanten-shwbn CHAP. XX. The Battle and Capture of Newchwang CHAP. XXI. The Taking of Yingkow CHAP. XXII. The Battle and Capture of Tienchwangtai . . CHAP. XXIII. The Capture of the Pescadores . . . . . . , , 400 CHAP. XXIV. His Majesty the Imperor . . . . . . , , 407 CHAP. XXV. Head Quarters . . .. .. . .. .. ,, 412 )> 227 tt 238 it 246 ty 256 t> 277 tj 297 i i 341 »» 351 ») 356 )f 374 386 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Ill CHAP. XXVI. The Medical Staff AND ITS Work .. .. .. Page 418 CHAP. XXVII. The Field Post . . . . . . . . . . . . ,, 427 CHAP. XXVIII. The Japan Steamship Company .. .. .. ,, 435 CHAP. XXIX. The Bank OF Japan .. .. .. .. ,, 446 CHAP. XXX. The Red Cross . . .. .. .. ,,. 465 CHAP. XXXI. Those at Home .. .. .. .. .. .. ,, 492 CHAP, XXXII. Brief Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . ,, 502 CHAP. XXXIII. The Treaty of Peace .. .. .. .. .. ,, 516 APPENDIX A. The Text of the Treaty of Peace . . . . . . ,, 528 APPENDIX B. Japanese Text op the War Songs . . . . . . ,, 535 APPENDIX C. The Port Arthur Story .. .. .. .. ,, 541 APPENDIX D. The Extraordinary Session of the Imperial Diet . . „ 544 APPENDIX E. The Emperor's Home Coming 549 IMPERIAL RESCRIPT. (Translation.) kA-'E, by the Grace of Heaven, Emperor OF JAPAN, seated on a Throne occupied by the same dynasty from time im- memorial, do hereby make proclamation to all Our loyal and brave subjects as follows : — We hereby declare war against China, and We command each and all of Our competent authorities, in obedience to Our wish and with a view to the attainment of the national aim, to carry on hostilities by sea and by land against China, with all the means at their disposal, consistently with the Law of Nations. During the past three decades of Our reign, Our constant aim has been to further the peaceful progress of the country in civilization ; and being sensible of the evils inseparable from complications with foreign States, it has always been Our pleasure to instruct Our Ministers of State to labour for the promotion of friendly relations with Our Treaty Powers. We are gratified to know that the relations of Our Empire with those Powers have yearly increased in good-will and in friendship. Under the circumstances, We were unprepared for such a con- spicuous want of amity and of good faith as has been manifested by China in her conduct toward this country in connection with the Korean affair. Korea is an independent .State. She was first introduced into the family of nations by the advice and under the guidance ot Japan. It has, however, been China's habit to designate Korea as her dependency, and both openly and secretly to interfere with her domestic affairs. At the time of the recent civil insur- rection in Korea, China despatched troops thither, alleging that her purpose was to afford succour to her dependent State. We, in virtue of the Treaty concluded with Korea in 1882, and look- ing to possible emergencies, caused a military force to be sent to that country. Wishing to procure for Korea freedom from the calamity of n IMPERIAL RESCRIPT. perpetual disturbance, and thereby to maintain the peace of the East in general, Japan invited China's co-operation for the accomplishment of that object. But China, advancing various pretexts, declined Japan's proposal. Thereupon Japan advised Korea to reform her administration so that order and tranquillity- might be preserved at home, and so that the country might be able to discharge the responsibilities and duties of an indepen- dent State abroad. Korea has already consented to undertake the task. But China has secretly and insidiously^ endeavoured to circumvent and to thwart Japan's purpose. She has, further, procrastinated and endeavoured to make warlike preparations both on land and at sea. When those preparations were com- pleted, she not only sent large reinforcements to Korea, with a view to the forcible attainment of her ambitious designs, but even carried her arbitrariness and insolence to the extent of opening fire upon Our ships in Korean waters. China's plain object is to make it uncertain where the responsibility resides of preserving peace and order in Korea, and not only to weaken the position of that State in the family of nations, — a position obtained for Korea through Japan's efforts, — but also to obscure the significance of the treaties recognizing and confirming that position. Such conduct on the part of China is not only a direct injury to the rights and interests of this Empire, but also a men- ace to the permanent peace and tranquillity of the Orient. Judg- ing from her actions, it must be concluded that China, from the beginning, has been bent upon sacrificing peace to the attainment of her sinister object. In this situation, ardent as Our wish is to promote the prestige of the country abroad by strictly peaceful methods. We find it impossible to avoid a formal declaration of war against China. It is Our earnest wish that, by the loyalty and valour of Our faithful subjects, peace may soon be per- manently restored and the glory of the Empire be augmented and completed. Given this ist day of the eighth month of the 27th year of Meij'i. His Imperial Majesty's Sign-manual. Countersignatures of all the Ministers of State. TRANSLATION OF THE DESPATCHES. Ill The following are translations of the despatches laid by- Count Ito before the House of Peers. They clearly show the progress of events leading up to the war : — No. I. Chinese Legation, Tokyo, the 3rd day, the 5th month, the 20th year 0/ Kwang-sil. {The yth day, the 6th month, the 2']th year of Meiji.) Monsieur LE Ministre, — / have the honour to inform Your Excellency that I am in receipt of a telegram from His Excellency Li, Superintendent of Commerce of the Pei-yang, to the effect that in the Convention of the nth year of Kwang-sii (the iSth year of Meiji) between China and Japan it is provided that should- there arise in future the necessity on the part of China to despatch troops to Korea owing to the existence of any disturbance in l/iat country, the fact shall be previously communicated to fapan and that the troops shall be withdrawn at once on the cession of the disturbance and none shall be left behind, and the telegram adds that a communication has been received from the Korean Government containing the following statement : — The people in Chblla-do, who are vicious in habit, having, under the leaders of the Tong-Hali attacked and taken several towns and villages, proceeded northward, and took possession of Chhongju. The Government troops which were despatched to suppress the revolt, have not been successful. If this dis- turbance continues to spread and is allowed to exist for a long time, much trouble may be given to China. When in the years 1882 and 1884 we suffered from internal commotions, the uprisings were in each case suppressed by the troops of China on our behalf. In accordance with those precedents we hereby present an earnest application for despatch of some troops to speedily suppress the disturbance. As soon as the revolt is quelled, we will request the withdrawal of the troops and shall not ask for their longer detention so that they may not suffer the hardships of being abroad for a long period. The telegram further states that the application upon examination is found to be urgent both in words and in fact, and that it is in harmony with our con- stant practice to protect our tributary states by sending our troops to assist them. These circumstances were accordingly submitted to His Imperial Majesty, and in obedience to his will, General Yeh, Cominander of the troops in Chili, has been ordered to proceed at once to Cholla and Chhongju in Korea with selected troops, and to speedily suppress the disturbance in such manner as he may deem most convenient in order to restore the peace of our tributary state and to dispel the anxiety of the subjects of every nation residing in Korea for commercial purposes, and at the same time the General is commanded to return with the troops as soon as the desired object is attained. IV TRANSLATION OF THE DESPATCHES. The telegram, finally declares that His Excellency the Minisier to yapan is required to make communicaiion in pursuance of the said Convention and is telegraphed to that effect and is accordingly instructed to at once comtnunicate ihe mailer to the Japanese Foreign Office. In making therefore the foregoing communication to Your Excellency, I avail myself of the opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration. {Signed) Wang. His Excellency Alonsieur Mutsu, H.I.J.M.'s Minister for Foreign Affairs. No. 2. Department of Foreign Affairs, Tokyo, the "/Ih day, the 6th month, the 2jth year of Meiji. Monsieur le Ministre, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's note of to-day acquainting me, in accordance with the pro- vision of the Convention of the iSth day of the 4th month of the iSth year of Meiji between our two Governments that Your Government have despatched troops to Korea. In reply, I beg to declare that although the words ' ' tributary state " appear in your note, the Imperial Government, have never recognized Korea as a tributary state of China. I avail myself , &c., &c., &c., (Signed) MuTSU Munemitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Monsieur Wang, H.I.C.M.'s E.E. and 31. P. No. 3. Japanese Legation, Peking, the 'jth day, the 6th month, the z'jthyear of Meiji. Messieurs le Prince et les Ministres, — In pursuance of instructions which I have just received from His Imperial Majesty s Government, I have the honour, in accordance with the provision of the Treaty of the 1 8th day of the 4th month of the i8lh year of Meiji between our two Governments, to acquaint Your Highness and Your Excellencies that owing to the existence of a disturbance of a grave nature in Korea necessitating the presence of Japanese troops there, it is the intention of the Imperial Government to send a body of Japanese troops to that country. {Signed) Komura Jutaro, H.I.J.M.'s Charge d" Affaires. His Highness and Their Excellencies of the Tsung-li Yamen. TRANSLATION OF THE DESPATCHES. V No. 4. Tsung-li Yamen, the 6th day, the 5th month, the 20th year of Kwang-sii, (the gth day, the 6th month, the 2jthyear o/Meiji.) Monsieur lk Charge d'affaires, — We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note under date of the 4th instant (the jth day, the 6th month of the Japanese Calender) informing us that you have been instructed hy your Government to acquaint us, in accordance with the provision of the Convention between the two countries, that, owing to the existence of a distur- bance of a grave nature in Korea, Japanese troops will be despatched to that country. Our country has despatched troops to Korea in compliance with an applica- tion from thai country, for the purpose of assisting her to suppress the insur- gents, and the measure is in accordance with the practice hitherto pursued by our country in protecting tributary states. Besides the sole object being the sup- pression of the insurgents in the interior, the troops are to be withdrawn as soon as that object is attained. Although the condition of finsen and Fusan is at present quiet and peaceful our vessels will be for a while stationed therefor ■the protection of commerce carried on at these ports. The sole object of your country in sending troops is evidently to protect the Legation, Consulates, and commercial people in Korea, and consequently it may not be necessary on the part of your country to despatch a great number of troops and besides, as no application therefore has been made by Korea, it is requested that no troops shall proceed to the interior of Korea so that they may not cause alarm to the people. And moreover, since it is feared that in the event thai soldiers of the two nations should meet on the way, cases of un- expected accident might occur, owing to the difference of langauge and military etiquette, we beg to request in additon that you ivill be good enough io telegraph the purport of this communication io the Government of fapan. Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances, &fc., ^c, 6fc., President and IVf embers of Tsung-li Yamen. KoMURA, Ksg., H.I. 7. Af. 's Charge d' Affaires. No. 5. Japanese Legation, Peking, the 12th day, the 6th month, the 21 th year of MeijL Messieurs le Prince et les Ministres, — Having received your tiote under date of the pth instant acquainting me thai the despatching of troops to Korea is in accordance with the practice hitherto pursued by China in protecting VI TRANSLATION OF THE DESPATCHES. her tribulary stales and that no necessary exists on the part n/ Japan to send a large number 0/ troops there and requesting that those troops shall not he sent to the interior of Korea, T did not fail at once to communicate by telegram the purport of that note to my Government, and I have now the honour to inform Your Highness attd Excellencies that I am in receipt of a reply by telegraph to the following effect :— The Imperial Japanese Government have never recognized Korea as a tri- butary state of China. Japan dispatched her troops in virtue of the Chemulpho- Convention and in so doing she has followed the procedure laid down in the Treaty of Tientsin . As to the number nf troops, the Japanese Government are compelled to exercise their own judgment. Although no restriction is placed upon the movement of the Japanese troops in Korea, they will not be sent where their presence is not deemed necessary. The Japanese troops are under strict discipline, and the Japanese Government are confident that they will not precipitate a collision with the Chinese forces. It is hoped that China has adopted similar precautions. I avail myself , &fc., &'c., &fc , (Signed) Komura, H. I.J. M. 's Charge d Affaires. His Highness and Their Excellencies of the Tsung-li Yamen. No. 6. Department of Foreign Affairs, Tokyo, the lyth day, the 6th month, 2ytk year of Meiji. MoNsiEUK LE MiNiSTRE, — I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the following is a resume of the proposals made in my interview with you yesterday to your Government on behalf of the Imperial Government in respect of the present events in Korea as well as with a view to the adjustment of her affairs in future: — As to the present events, Japan and China to unite their efforts for speedy suppression of the disturbance of her insurgent people. After the sup- pression of the disturbance, Japan and China, with a view to the im- provement of the internal administration of Korea, to respectively send a number of Commissioners charged with the duty of investigating measures of improvement, in the first place on the following general points : — fa. ) Examination of the financial administration, (b.) Selection of the Central and Local Officials, (c. ) Establishment of an army necessary for national defence in order to preserve the peace of the land. TRANSLATION OF THE DESPATCHES. "VII In making the foregoing communicaiion, I avail myself, (Sfc. , (Sfc., &fc. (Signed) Mutsu Munemitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs. His Excellency Monsieur Wang, H.I.C. M.'s E.E. and M. P. No. 7. Chinese Legation, Tokyo, the iSth day, the 5th vionth, the 20lh year of Kwang-sii, (the 22nd ddy, the 6th month of the 27th year ofMeiji). Monsieur le Ministre, — I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that I am in receipt of a telegram from my Government to the effect that having carefully considered the proposal made by your Governvient in respect to the events in Korea and the adjustment of her affairs in future, the Chinese Government would reply as follows: — As the disturbance in Korea has already been suppressed, it is no longer essential to trouble the Chinese forces on Korea's behalf, and therefore 710 necessity exists to consider the proposition that our two countries shall co-operaie in suppressing the disturbance. In regard to the adjustment of Korean affairs in future, the idea may be excellent ; but the measures of improvement must be left to Korea her- self. Even China herself would not interfere with the internal administration of Korea, andfapan having from the very Jirst recogniz- ed the independence of Korea, can not have the right to interfere with the same. As to the withdrawal of troops from Korea after the suppression of the disturbance, provision on that subject exists in the Treaty of 1885, con- cluded between the two countries, and therefore it is not required to discuss the viatter over again on this occasion. The above has already been communicated to Your Excellency in our interview and in now repeating it for your further consideration, I avail myself, &-C., &fc., dfc. (Signed) Wang, H. I a M. 's E.E. and M. P. His Excellency Monsieur Mutsu, H. If .M.'s Minister for Foreign Affairs. No. 8. Department of Foreign Affairs, Tokyo, the 22nd day, the 6th month, the iyth year of Meiji. Monsieur le Ministre, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of VIII TRANSLATION OF THE DESPATCHES. Your Excellency's note of the 22nd instant, in which Your Excellency, in pur- suance of instructions from the Imperial Chinese Government, rejects the pro- posals advanced by His Imperial Majesty's Government for the iranquillization and amelioration of Korea. The Imperial Government, much to their regret, find it impossible to share the hopeful views entertained by Your Excellency's Government regarding the actual situation in Korea at the presext time. Sad experience teaches us that the Peninsular Kingdom is the theatre of political intrigues and civil revolts and disturbances of such frequent recurrence as to justify the conclusion that the Government of that country is lacking in some of the elements which are essential to responsible independence. The interests of Japan in Korea, arising from propinquity as well as commerce, are too important and far-reaching to allow her to view with indiffe- rence the deplorable condition of affairs in that Kingdom. In this situation an attitude (f unconcern on the part of Japan would not only be a denial of the sentiments 0/ friendship and good correspondence which the Imperial Gavernment entertain for Korea, but it would be a censurable disregard of the law of self-preservation. The necessity for the adoption of measures looking to the peace and tran- quillity of Korea is, for the reasons already given, a dema?id which the Imperial Government cannot permit to pass unheeded, for so long as those measures are delayed so long will the cause of the disorder exist. In the estimation of the Imperial Government therefore the withdrawal of their forces should be consequent upon the establishment of some understanding that will serve to guarantee the future peace, order, and good government of the countty. That course of action is, moreover, it seems to His Imperial Majesty's Government, not only in perfect harmony with the spirit of the Tientsin Convention, but it accords with the dictates of reasonable precaution. Should the Government of China continue to hold views antagonistic to those which I have frankly and in good faith presented to Your Excellency, it cannot be expected that the Imperial Government will, under the circumstances, feel at liberty to sanction the present retirement of their troops from Korea. I avail myself , <5fc., <5fc.,