THE SINKING OF THE
KOW-SHING
Official Report of Captain Togo of the Naniwa
“At 9.15 a.m., coming close to the Kow-shing, I signalled J. W. (to stop immediately) and twice fired blank shot. The next signal was L. P. (to anchor), which she obeyed. I was at that time very anxious to catch the flying Chinese warship, and I turned a little while in that direction. At that time the Kow-shing signalled D. N. W. R. (may I proceed), which I answered by the signal J. W.
“At 10.40, I sent Lieutenant Hitomi and others as prize officers to her. On seeing all the papers and other things, they found that she was carrying contraband persons. So I ordered her to follow me, which her captain consented to do. When I hoisted the signal L. R. (slip or weigh anchor immediately), she asked me by signal to send a boat for communication. I thought that the captain wished to tell me that he was prevented by the Chinese soldiers from obeying my order. So I ordered Lieutenant Hitomi to go again to her, giving him instructions to bring the Europeans on board the Naniwa, if the Chinese generals were resisting the carrying out of my order. When the lieutenant came alongside, the captain came to the gangway and said that the Chinese generals asked to be allowed to return to Taku, as they did not know that war had broken out. The lieutenant informed me that, when he went there, the Chinese soldiers were in a condition of the greatest confusion and excitement, so that the captain intentionally came down to the gangway and would not let him go on deck. Four hours had been consumed in these fruitless negotiations, and there was no longer room for hesitation, so I signalled M. L. (quit the ship immediately). To this the captain again answered by the signal demanding a boat. At that time I thought it would be rather foolish to send our officers, as the Chinese were in such an excited state. Accordingly I signalled H. J. (boat cannot come). It seemed to me that she was awaiting the arrival of the Chinese fleet; moreover, it was very dangerous to hesitate any longer, so I again hoisted the signal M. L., and at the same time a red flag on the foremast. At 1.10 p.m. I ordered one torpedo and shells to be discharged. The latter hit the engine-room.
“At 1.15 the Kow-shing began to sink from her stern.
“At 1.37 I sent two cutters to rescue the captain, the officers and the rest.
“At 1.46 she sank.
“The spot where she sank is two miles south of the island of Sho-pai-oul.”
Captain Galsworthy’s Report.
The British steamer Kow-shing, owned by the Indo-China Co., left Shang-hai on July 17th, bound to Taku, under charter to carry Chinese troops from that port to Asan, on the coast of Korea. Arriving at Taku on the 20th, arrangements were made to ship the troops, and on the 23rd 1100 came on board, including two generals, a number of other officers of various ranks, and a German ex-army officer named Hanneken, who came as an ordinary passenger. At 9.50 p.m. on the 23rd the ship proceeded on her voyage to Asan. All went well until the morning of the 25th, when off Shopeiul Island, we passed a man-of-war flying the Japanese naval ensign, with a white flag above it. This vessel proved to be the Chinese warship Tei-yuen. Shortly afterwards we sighted three Japanese men-of-war, the Naniwa, Yoshino, and another (probably the Akitsushiu). The Naniwa at once steamed towards us, flying a signal ordering us to stop. She also fired two blank charges, and signalled us to anchor, which we did at once. The Naniwa then steamed away, apparently to communicate with the other ships. I at once enquired by signal if I might proceed, to which the Naniwa replied, “Heave-to or take the consequences.” A boat then came from the Naniwa and an officer came on board. He was received at the gangway, and he asked to see the ship’s papers. They were shown him, and his attention particularly called to the fact that she was a British ship. Numerous other questions were asked and answered, the most important one being, “Would the Kow-shing follow the Naniwa?” Being utterly helpless against a man-of-war, I replied that there would be no alternative but to do so, under protest, if ordered. The officer then left the ship, and proceeded to the Naniwa. Shortly after, being still at anchor, I was ordered by signal to cut, slip, or weigh immediately. The Chinese generals learning the meaning of the signals, and finding preparations were being made to follow the Naniwa, objected most emphatically. They were told how useless it would be to resist, as one shot would sink them in a short time. The generals then said they would rather die than obey Japanese orders, and, as they had 1100 men against about 400 on the Naniwa, they would fight sooner than surrender. They were told that if they decided to fight, the foreign officers would leave the ship. The generals then gave orders to the troops on deck to kill us if we obeyed the orders of the Japanese or attempted to leave the ship. With gestures they threatened to cut off our heads, to stab or shoot us; and a lot of men were selected to watch us and carry out the order. A signal was then made requesting the Naniwa to send a boat, in order to communicate the state of affairs. A boat was at once sent, but a crowd of armed Chinese took possession of the gangway, until I prevailed on the generals to send them away. Eventually the officers came alongside, and a message for the commander of the Naniwa was sent, stating that the Chinese refused to allow the Kow-shing to be taken, and insisting upon returning to Taku. It was again pointed out that she was a British ship, and that she had left port before war had been declared. The boat then returned to the Naniwa, and on her arrival a signal was hoisted ordering the Europeans to leave the ship at once. A reply was given that they were not allowed to leave the ship, and asking for a boat to be sent. Notice was sent to the engineers to be handy on deck in case the Japanese fired. The Naniwa shortly afterwards replied that a boat could not be sent. The Naniwa then hoisted a red flag at the fore, which was apparently a signal for discharging a torpedo, as one was fired at the Kow-shing, but missed her. A broadside of five guns was then fired. At the time I was on the bridge, my officers having left it, and seeing that the soldiers set to watch me had left their station at the foot of the ladder, I rushed to the wheelhouse, and, after obtaining a lifebelt (the last one remaining), I jumped over the ship’s side. In doing so I heard a terrific explosion, and upon returning to the surface of the sea I found the atmosphere was thick with smoke and fine coal-powder. I at once struck out for the shore, distant about 1¼ miles. There were many Chinese in the water, but I only saw one European, Mr. von Hanneken. As the air cleared, a bullet struck the water close to my ear, and was followed by a shower of bullets. Knowing that shot from the Naniwa could not strike near me, owing to being sheltered by the hull of the Kow-shing, I turned on my back, and saw the Chinese soldiers firing at me from the deck and the ’tween deck ports. As far as possible I protected the back of my head with the lifebelt, and swam as low in the water as I could. Shortly after the Kow-shing went down, stern first. After being in the water some time, I was picked up by the Naniwa’s cutter, in a very exhausted condition. The same boat had already rescued one of the quartermasters, who had been wounded in the neck by a rifle bullet. On arriving at the Naniwa we found that the chief officer was the only other person saved by the Japanese, leaving five Europeans connected with the ship, and the passenger, missing. We anchored off Shopeiul about 9 a.m. The firing commenced about 1 p.m., and we were taken aboard the Naniwa about 2.30 p.m. During the evening the Naniwa steamed away, arriving the next morning at the rendezvous of the Japanese Fleet in Korea. We were then transferred to the Yayeyama, together with a Danish electrician, named Muhlenstedt, and about sixty Chinese, who were taken prisoners from the Chinese steamer Tso-kiang, the same clay. The Yayeyama then proceeded to Sasebo, arriving on the morning of the 28th. From Sasebo I and Mr. Tamplin, the chief officer, came here in a small tender at noon on Sunday last, having in the mean time been interviewed by Mr. Suyematsu Kencho, President of the Imperial Board of Legislature, who came down from Tokyo for that purpose. The quartermaster remained behind owing to his wound not having properly healed up, whilst Mr. Muhlenstedt is being further detained. During our detention we received every care and attention necessary for our comfort. After arriving here we proceeded to H.M.’s Consulate, and made an affidavit of the entire circumstances. The Naniwa, I may mention, had been damaged on the port quarter from a shot fired from the Tche-yuen in the morning. I can positively say I did not see the Japanese fire on the Chinese in the water. The Chinese killed many of their own people.
LOSS OF THE KOW-SHING
Finding and Order of a Naval Court, held at H.B.M. Consulate, Nagasaki, on August 7, 1894.
The S.S. Kow-shing was an iron vessel, schooner rigged, of 1355 tons registered tonnage, official number 87000, built at Barrow-in-Furness, and belonging to the port of London. It appears from evidence given before this court that she sailed from Taku on or about the 23rd day of July, 1894, bound for Gasan, in Korea, with no cargo but 1100 Chinese troops on board, that everything went well until the morning of the 25th July, when about 9 a.m. the Naniwa-kan, a Japanese man-of-war, signalled to her to stop and to anchor, with the island of Sho-pei-oul bearing about N. by E., distant 1¼ miles. That after communicating with the Kow-shing twice by boat, and ordering the officers to quit the vessel, which they were prevented doing by the Chinese troops, the Naniwa-kan, about 1 p.m., discharged a torpedo at the Kow-shing, and this not striking her the Naniwa-kan fired a broadside of five heavy guns at her and continued firing both heavy and machine guns from deck and tops until she sank, about an hour later. That when firing commenced a number of the crew and Chinese troops jumped overboard, amongst them the master, Thomas Ryder Galsworthy, the first mate, Lewis Henry Tamplin, and a quartermaster, Lucas Evangelista (a Manilla man), who are the only members of the crew at present known to be saved. The court, having regard to the circumstances above stated, find as follows:—
1. That the ship was sufficiently seaworthy and found well in all necessary respects.
2. That the conduct of the officers and crew before and up to the time of the sinking of the vessel was satisfactory and free from blame.
3. That the cause of the sinking was due to her having been repeatedly struck by heavy cannon shots from the Naniwa-kan, a Japanese man-of-war.
4. That no efforts on the part of the master or crew would have availed to avert the catastrophe.
5. That the court attaches no blame whatever to the master, Thomas Ryder Galsworthy, or any of the officers or crew.
6. The expenses of the Court are merely approved.
Dated at Nagasaki, the 7th day of August, 1894.
THE ARMISTICE
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan having in view of the untoward event which temporarily interrupted the depending negotiations for peace commanded his plenipotentiaries to consent to a temporary armistice,
The undersigned Count Ito Hirobumi, Junii, grand cross of the imperial order of Paullownia, minister president of state, and Viscount Mutsu Munemitsu, Junii, first class of the imperial order of the Sacred Treasure, minister of state for foreign affairs, the plenipotentiaries of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan; and Li Hung-Chang, plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China, senior tutor to the Heir Apparent, senior grand secretary of state, minister superintendent of trade for the northern ports of China, viceroy of the province of Chihli and earl of the first rank, have concluded the following treaty of armistice:—
Art. 1. The Imperial governments of Japan and China agree to enforce an armistice between their respective military and naval forces in the provinces of Fêng-tien, Chihli and Shan-tung subject to the provisions contained in the following articles:—
Art. 2. The forces affected by this armistice shall have the right to maintain the positions respectively occupied by them at the time hostilities are actually suspended, but they shall not under any circumstances during the existence of this armistice advance beyond such positions.
Art. 3. The two governments engage during the existence of this treaty not to extend, perfect or advance their attacking works or to reinforce or in anywise to strengthen either for offensive or defensive operations their confronting military line. But this engagement shall not prevent either government from making any new distribution or arrangement of troops not intended to augment or strengthen the armies now actually in the field and engaged in active military operations.
Art. 4. The movement of troops and the transportation of military supplies and all other contraband of war by sea shall be subject to the ordinary rules of war and shall consequently be liable to hostile capture.
Art. 5. This armistice shall be enforced by the imperial governments of Japan and China for the period of 21 days from the date of the signature of this treaty.
In those localities occupied by the troops of the two governments to which there is no telegraphic communication the quickest possible means shall be employed in issuing the orders for the armistice, and the respective commanders of the two countries shall upon the receipt of such orders announce the fact to each other and take steps to enforce the armistice.
Art. 6. This armistice shall terminate, without notice on either side, at mid-day on the 20th day of the 4th month of the 28th year of Meiji corresponding to the 26th day of the 3rd month of the 21st year of Kwang-Hsu. If in the mean time the depending negotiations for peace are broken off, this armistice shall in that case terminate at the same time such negotiations cease.
In witness whereof the plenipotentiaries of Japan and China have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals.
Done at Shimonosiki, Japan, this 30th day of the 3rd month of the 28th year of Meiji corresponding to the 5th day of the 3rd month of the 21st year of Kwang-Hsu.
Count Ito Hirobumi (L. S.),
Junii; grand cross of the imperial order of Paullownia; minister
president of state; plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
Viscount Mutsu Munemitsu (L. S.),
Junii; first class of the imperial order of the Sacred Treasure;
minister of state for foreign affairs; plenipotentiary of His Majesty
the Emperor of Japan.
Li Hung-Chang (L. S.),
plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China; senior tutor
to the Heir
Apparent; senior grand secretary of state; minister superintendent of trade for the northern ports of China; viceroy of the province of Chihli and earl of the first rank.
THE TREATY OF PEACE
(Official translation.)
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan and His Majesty the Emperor of China, desiring to restore the blessings of peace to their countries and subjects and to remove all cause for future complications, have named as their plenipotentiaries for the purpose of concluding a treaty of peace, that is to say:
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Count Ito Hirobumi, Junii, grand cross of the imperial order of the Paullownia, minister president of state, and Viscount Mutsu Munemitsu, Junii, first class of the imperial order of the Sacred Treasure, minister of state for foreign affairs;
and His Majesty the Emperor of China, Li Hung-chang, senior tutor to the heir apparent, senior grand secretary of state, minister superintendent of trade for the northern ports of China, viceroy of the province of Chihli and earl of the first rank, and Li Ching-Fong, ex-minister of the diplomatic service, of the second official rank;
who, after having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in good and proper form, have agreed to the following articles:
Art. 1. China recognises definitively the full and complete independence and autonomy of Korea, and in consequence the payment of tribute and the performance of ceremonies and formalities by Korea to China in derogation of such independence and autonomy shall wholly cease for the future.
Art. 2. China cedes to Japan in perpetuity and sovereignty the following territories together with all fortifications, arsenals and public property therein:
(a) The southern portion of the province of Fêng-Tien within the following boundaries:
The line of demarcation begins at the mouth of the River Yalu and ascends that stream to the mouth of the River Anping; from thence the line runs to Funghwang; from thence to Haiching, from thence to Yingkow, forming a line which describes the southern portion of the territory. The places above named are included in the ceded territory. When the line reaches the River Liao at Yingkow it follows the course of that stream to its mouth, where it terminates. The mid-channel of the River Liao shall be taken as the line of demarcation.
The cession also includes all islands appertaining or belonging to the province of Fêng-Tien situated in the eastern portion of the bay of Liaotung and in the northern part of the Yellow Sea.
(b) The Island of Formosa, together with all islands appertaining or belonging to the said Island of Formosa.
(c) The Pescadores Group, that is to say, all islands lying between the 119th and 120th degrees of longitude east of Greenwich and the 23rd and 24th degrees of north latitude.
Art. 3. The alignments of the frontiers described in the preceding article shall be subject to verification and demarcation on the spot, by a joint commission of delimitation consisting of two or more Japanese and two or more Chinese delegates to be appointed immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this act. In case the boundaries laid down in this act are found to be defective at any point, either on account of topography or in consideration of good administration, it shall also be the duty of the delimitation commission to rectify the same.
The delimitation commission will enter upon its duties as soon as possible, and will bring its labours to a conclusion within the period of one year after appointment.
The alignments laid down in this act shall, however, be maintained until the rectifications of the delimitation commission, if any are made, shall have received the approval of the governments of Japan and China.
Art. 4. China agrees to pay to Japan as a war indemnity the sum of 200,000,000 Kuping Taels. The said sum to be paid in eight instalments. The first instalment of 50,000,000 taels to be paid within six months, and the second instalment of 50,000,000 taels to be paid within twelve months, after the exchange of the ratifications of this act. The remaining sum to be paid in six equal annual instalments, as follows: The first of such equal annual instalments to be paid within two years; the second within three years; the third within four years; the fourth within five years; the fifth within six years, and the sixth within seven years, after the exchange of the ratification of this act. Interest at the rate of 5 per centum per annum shall begin to run on all unpaid portions of the said indemnity from the date the first instalment falls due.
China shall, however, have the right to pay by anticipation at any time any or all of the said instalments. In case the whole amount of the indemnity is paid within three years after the exchange of the ratification of the present act, all interest shall be waived and the interest for two years and a half or for any less period if then already paid shall be included as a part of the principal amount of the indemnity.
Art. 5. The inhabitants of the territories ceded to Japan, who wish to take up their residence outside the ceded districts, shall be at liberty to sell their real property and retire. For this purpose a period of two years from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of the present act shall be granted. At the expiration of that period those of the inhabitants who shall not have left such territories shall, at the option of Japan, be deemed to be Japanese subjects.
Each of the two governments shall, immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of the present act, send one or more commissioners to Formosa to effect a final transfer of that province; and within the space of two months after the exchange of the ratifications of this act such transfer shall be completed.
Art. 6. All treaties between Japan and China having come to an end in consequence of the war, China engages, immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of this act, to appoint plenipotentiaries to conclude, with the Japanese plenipotentiaries, a treaty of commerce and navigation and a convention to regulate frontier intercourse and trade. The treaties, conventions and regulations now subsisting between China and European powers shall serve as a basis for the said treaty and convention between Japan and China. From the date of the exchange of the ratifications of this act until the said treaty and convention are brought into actual operation, the Japanese government; its officials; commerce; navigation; frontier intercourse and trade; industries; ships and subjects, shall, in every respect, be accorded by China the most favoured nation treatment.
China makes in addition the following concession, to take effect six months after the date of the present act:
1st.—The following cities, towns and ports, in addition to those already opened, shall be opened to the trade, residence, industries and manufactures of Japanese subjects, under the same conditions and with the same privileges and facilities as exist at the present in cities, towns, and ports of China:
- 1.—Shashih in the Province of Hupeh.
- 2.—Chungking in the Province of Szechüan.
- 3.—Soochow in the Province of Kianghsu.
- 4.—Hangchow in the Province of Chekiang.
The Japanese government shall have the right to station consuls at any or all of the above-named places.
2nd.—Steam navigation for vessels under the Japanese flag for the conveyance of passengers and cargo shall be extended to the following places:
- 1.—On the Upper Yangtsze River, from Ichang to Chungking.
- 2.—On the Woosung River and the Canal, from Shang-hai
- to Soochow and Hangchow.
The rules and regulations which now govern the navigation of the inland waters of China by foreign vessels shall, so far as applicable, be enforced in respect of the above-named routes, until new rules and regulations are conjointly agreed to.
3rd.—Japanese subjects purchasing goods or produce in the interior of China shall have the right temporarily to rent or hire warehouses for the storage of the articles so purchased or transported, without the payment of any taxes or exactions whatever.
4th.—Japanese subjects shall be free to engage in all kinds of manufacturing industries in all the open cities, towns and ports of China, and shall be at liberty to import into China all kinds of machinery, paying only the stipulated import duties thereon.
All articles manufactured by Japanese subjects in China, shall, in respect of inland transit and internal taxes, duties, charges and exactions of all kinds, and also in respect of warehousing and storing facilities in the interior of China, stand upon the same footing and enjoy the same privileges and exemptions as merchandise imported by Japanese subjects into China.
In the event of additional rules and regulations being necessary in connection with these concessions, they shall be embodied in the treaty of commerce and navigation provided for by this article.
Art. 7. Subject to the provisions of the next succeeding article, the evacuation of China by the armies of Japan shall be completely effected within three months after the exchange of the ratifications of the present act.
Art. 8. As a guarantee of the faithful performance of the stipulations of this act, China consents to the temporary occupation of the military forces of Japan of Wei-hai-wei in the Province of Shan-tung.
Upon the payment of the first two instalments of the war indemnity, herein stipulated, this place shall be evacuated by the Japanese forces, provided the Chinese government consents to pledge, under suitable and sufficient arrangements, the customs revenue of China as security for the payment of the principal and interest of the remaining instalments of the said indemnity. In the event no such arrangements are concluded, such evacuation shall only take place upon the payment of the final instalment of the said indemnity.
It is, however, expressly understood that no such evacuation shall take place until after the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty of commerce and navigation.
Art. 9. Immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of this act all prisoners of war then held shall be restored, and China undertakes not to ill-treat or punish prisoners of war so restored to her by Japan. China also engages to at once release all Japanese subjects accused of being military spies or charged with any other military offences. China further engages not to punish in any manner, nor to allow to be punished, those Chinese subjects who have in any manner been compromised in their relations with the Japanese army during the war.
Art. 10. All offensive military operations shall cease upon the exchange of the ratifications of this act.
Art. 11. The present act shall be ratified by Their Majesties the Emperor of Japan and the Emperor of China, and ratifications shall be exchanged at Chefoo, on the 8th day of the 5th month of the 28th year of Meiji, corresponding to 14th day of the 4th month of the 21st year of Kuang-Hsü (May 8th, 1895).
In witness whereof, the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the same and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms.
Done at Shimonoseki, in duplicate, this 17th day of the 4th month of the 28th year of Meiji, corresponding to the 23rd day of the 3rd month of 21st year of Kuang-Hsü.
COUNT ITO HIROBUMI [L.L.],
Junii; grand cross of the imperial order of the Paullownia; minister
president of state; plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
VISCOUNT MUTSU MUNEMITSU [L.L.],
Junii; first class of the imperial order of the Sacred Treasure;
minister of state for foreign affairs; plenipotentiary of His Majesty
the Emperor of Japan.
LI HUNG-CHANG [L.L.],
plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China, senior tutor
to the heir apparent; senior grand secretary of state; minister
superintendent of trade for the northern ports of China; viceroy of the
province of Chihli and earl of the first rank.
LI CHING-FONG,
plenipotentiary of
His Majesty the Emperor of China, ex-minister of the diplomatic service
of the second official rank.
CORRESPONDENCE IN CONNECTION WITH
THE WEI-HAI-WEI SURRENDER.
“HONOURED SIR,
“An unfortunate turn of events has made
us enemies: but as the warfare of to-day does not imply animosity
between each and all individuals, we hope our former friendship is
still warm enough to assure Your Excellency that these lines, which
we address to you with your kind permission, are dictated by a motive
higher than that of a mere challenge to surrender. This motive is that
of submitting to the calm consideration of a friend a reason for an
action which seems to be truly conducive to the good of his country
and of himself, although stress of circumstances might temporarily
conceal this from him. To whatever cause the successive failures of
Chinese arms on both sea and land may be attributed, we think Your
Excellency’s sound judgement will not fail in assigning them to their
true cause, which must be apparent to any unprejudiced observer. In
China the literary class is still the governing section, and literary
accomplishment is the chief if not the sole way to rank and power now
as it was a thousand years ago. We do not venture to deny that this
system is excellent in well be permanent and sufficient if China were
to stand alone in the world. But national isolation is no longer a
possibility. Your Excellency must know what a hard experience the
Japanese empire had thirty years ago, and how narrowly she escaped the
awful calamity which threatened. To throw away the old principle and
to adopt the new, as the sole condition of preserving the integrity
of your empire, is as necessary with your government now as it was
with ours. The necessity must be attended to, or fall is inevitable
sooner or later. That the crisis is being brought about by the Japanese
arms is mere chance. It might have been caused by other political
difficulties, which are equally destructive. Now at such a juncture
is it the part of a truly patriotic man, upon whom the necessity of
action devolves, to allow himself to be simply dragged along by force
of circumstances? Compared with the re-establishment on a sound working
basis of the oldest empire in the world, with its glorious history and
its extensive territories, what is the surrender of a fleet or the loss
of a whole army? If Your Excellency be truly patriotic and loyal to the
cause of your country, we beg you to listen to the words of sympathetic
hearts filled with the sense of honour representative of the fighting
men of Japan; words which ask you to come and stay in Japan until the
time arrives when your services shall be required for the good cause.
Not to speak of the numerous instances of final success after temporary
humiliation in your own history of the ancient dynasties, let me call
your attention to the case of the French Marshal Macmahon, who allowed
himself to be detained in the enemy’s land till it was expedient that
he should return and aid in reforming the government, which instead
of dishonouring him raised him to the presidency: or to the case of
Osman Pasha whom the unfortunate event of Plevna did not prevent
from subsequently filling the post of minister of war and rendering
important services in reforming the army. As to the way in which
Your Excellency may be received in Japan, let us assure you of the
magnanimity of our sovereign. His Majesty not only pardoned his own
subjects who fought against the imperial side, but even raised them
to important positions according to their personal merits, as in the
case of Admiral Enomoto, Privy Councillor Otori, and others. Surely
he would be more magnanimous to one who is not his own subject, and
whose glorious career is so well known to the world. The great problem
with Your Excellency now is whether to submit to the great calamity
which must be the inevitable consequence of further adherence to the
old principle, or to survive it for the sake of future reform. We know
it is the custom of your officials to meet any communication from an
opponent with a pride designed to show consciousness of strength or
to conceal weakness, but we hope Your Excellency will understand that
the present communication is not made without due consideration of
the vast interests at stake, but that it is the outcome of the truest
sincerity and of feelings which should lead to the realisation of those
interests, and we hope you will kindly consider it in that light.
“Should the present communication meet with your approval, the carrying out of its import will, with Your Excellency’s permission, be arranged through further communications, and we have the honour to be, etc., etc.
“20th January, 1895.”
THE PROPOSAL TO SURRENDER
“I, TING, commander-in-chief of the Pei-yang squadron, acknowledge having previously received a letter from Vice-Admiral Ito, commander of the port of Sasebo. This letter I have not answered until to-day, owing to the hostilities going on between our fleets. It had been my intention to continue fighting until every one of my men-of-war was sunk and the last sailor killed; but I have reconsidered the matter and now request a truce, hoping thereby to save many lives. I earnestly beseech you to refrain from doing further hurt to the Chinese and Westerners serving in the army and navy of China, as well as to the townspeople of Wei-hai-wei; in return for which I offer to surrender to the empire of Japan all my men-of-war, the forts on Liu-kung-tau and all material of war in and about Wei-hai-wei. If Vice-Admiral Ito will accede to these terms, I desire to have the commander-in-chief of the British warships in the offing as a guarantor of the contract. Requesting an answer to this by to-morrow, I have the honour to remain, etc.
18th day, 1st month, 21st year of Kwangshu (12th Feb. 1895).”
“I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favour, and to accept the proposal therein contained. Accordingly I shall take over all the men-of-war, the forts and all warlike material from your hands. As to the time when the surrender is to take place, I will consult you again on receiving your reply to this. My idea is, after taking over everything, to escort you and the others referred to in your letter on board one of our warships to some safe place where your convenience may be suited. If I may be permitted to speak quite frankly, I advise you for your own and your country’s sake to remain in Japan until the war is over. Should you decide to come to my country you may rest assured that you will be treated with distinguished consideration. But if you desire to return to your native land I shall of course put no obstacle in your path. As for any British guarantee, I think it quite unnecessary, and trust in your honour as an officer and a gallant man. Requesting your reply to this by 10 a.m. to-morrow, I have the honour to remain, etc.
12th February, 1895.”
“I am delighted to learn that you are in the enjoyment of good health. I thank you heartily for your kind reply, and the assurance that the lives of those under me will be spared. You have kindly forwarded me certain gifts, but while I thank you I cannot accept them, our two nations being at war. You write that you desire me to surrender everything into your hands to-morrow. This gives too short a period in which to make the necessary preparations, and I fear that the troops will not be able to evacuate the place by the time specified. I therefore pray you to wait until the 22nd day of the 1st month (Chinese calendar), February 16th. You need not fear that I shall go back from my word.
18th day, 1st month (12th February).”
“To the officers representing the Chinese fleet at
Wei-hai-wei.
“I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the letter of Admiral Ting dated the 18th of January of the Chinese year. The report of the death of Admiral Ting last night, communicated verbally by the messenger who brought over the said letter, I received with great personal regret.
“As to postponing taking over the vessels, forts and other materials of war until the 22nd of January of the Chinese year, I am ready to comply with it under a certain condition. This condition is that some responsible Chinese officer should come over to this our flagship Matsushima before 6 o’clock p.m. this day, the 13th of February according to the Japanese year, and we will then make certain arrangements, which have to be definitely fixed, regarding the taking over of the said vessels, forts and other materials of war, as well as the escorting of the Chinese and foreign officers and men out of Wei-hai-wei. In my last letter to the lamented Admiral Ting I stated that as to the hour and other minor conditions I should be glad to make arrangements with him on the morrow; so as he is now dead, these minor conditions have to be arranged with some one who can deal with us in his stead.
“It is my express wish that the said officer who is to come to this our flagship for the above purpose be a Chinese, not a foreign officer, and be it understood that I am willing to receive him with honour.
THE CONVENTION OF SURRENDER
Towards 7 p.m. of 13th February Tao-tai Niu Chang-Ping, accompanied by Captain Ching, came under a white flag to the Matsushima. He introduced himself as the representative of the naval and military forces at Wei-hai-wei. Admiral Ito then proposed to him several conditions relating to the vessels, forts and materials of war, the escorting of the Chinese and foreign officers and men out of Wei-hai-wei, and so forth. After a consultation of several hours Tao-tai Niu and Captain Ching left the ship, arranging to come back before 2 p.m. on the 14th.
At 2 p.m. on the 14th, Tao-tai Niu, the Chinese plenipotentiary, came again under a white flag, accompanied by Captain Ching, and after further consultation the following terms were agreed upon between the two parties as conditions of capitulation, and the English version of them, which was to serve as the original text, was signed by Admiral Ito and Tao-tai Niu.
Art. I. That a list of the names, functions, and ranks of all the naval and military officers, both Chinese and foreign, required to be transported in safety, should be produced. For foreigners, their nationalities should also be mentioned. As to soldiers, clerks, etc., only their numbers are to be given.
Art. II. That all the naval and military officers, both Chinese and foreign, should pledge themselves by a formal declaration in writing that they will not re-engage themselves in the present war between Japan and China.
Art. III. That all the weapons, powder, and projectiles for use of land forces on the Island of Liu-kung-tau should be collected in fixed places, and these places made known to us. The soldiers of the said land forces shall be landed at Chiu-tau, and from thence they are to be conducted by Japanese guards to the outposts of the Japanese army now occupying the localities around Wei-hai-wei. The landing is to begin from 5 o’clock p.m. on the 14th of February, 1895 (20th January, Chinese calendar), and end before noon on the 15th February, 1895 (21st January of the Chinese calendar).
Art. IV. That Tao-tai Niu, representing the Chinese naval and military forces at Wei-hai-wei as plenipotentiary, should appoint a suitable number of committees, for the delivery of the vessels and forts. These committees are required to send in before noon, February 15th, 1895, a list of the vessels and forts in their charge with the number and kinds of the guns, rifles, and other weapons now contained in these vessels or forts.
Art. V. That the Chinese naval and military officers and men, native and foreign, should be allowed to leave Wei-hai-wei after noon on the 16th of February, 1895 (22nd of January of the Chinese calendar), in the steamship Kwang-Chi, sailing out of the harbour under the condition stipulated in Art. X.
Art. VI. That the Chinese naval and military officers, both native and foreign, should be allowed to take with them their personal movable property only, with the exception of arms, which are to be delivered up even if they be private property. Whenever deemed necessary the things they take away shall be submitted to inspection.
Art. VII. That the permanent residents, i.e. the original inhabitants of the Island of Liu-kung-tau, should be persuaded to continue their abode on the island.
Art. VIII. That the landing of the requisite number of the Japanese officers and men, on the Island of Liu-kung-tau, in order to take possession of the forts and materials of war on the island, should commence from 9 o’clock a.m. on the 16th of February, 1895 (22nd of January by Chinese calendar), but that Admiral Ito reserves to himself the right of sending a certain number of the Japanese men-of-war into the harbour, whenever the necessity occurs at any time after the signing of the present stipulations.
The naval officers, both native and foreign, on board the Chinese vessels may remain therein until 9 o’clock a.m. on the 16th February, 1895 (22nd January of Chinese calendar). Those marines, seamen, etc., on board the same vessels who wish to be escorted out of Wei-hai-wei by land should be landed in the same place and escorted in the same way as the soldiers of the land forces, the landing to begin from noon on the 15th of February (21st January of Chinese calendar), that is to say after the landing of the soldiers of the land forces is finished.
Art. IX. That women, children, aged persons and other non-combatants who wish to leave the Island of Liu-kung-tau should be allowed to sail out of either the eastern or western mouth of the harbour in Chinese junks any time after the morning of the 15th of February, 1895 (21st January of the Chinese calendar). These vessels are, however, to be examined by the Japanese naval officers and men in the torpedo boats or the other boats posted at the mouth of the harbour, the examination extending to both persons and baggage.
Art. X. That the coffins of the lamented Admiral Ting and the officers next to him should be allowed to be carried out of the harbour after noon on the 16th of February, 1895 (22nd of January of the Chinese calendar), and before noon on the 23rd of February, 1895 (29th January of the Chinese calendar), in the steamer Kwang-chi, which Admiral Ito refrains from taking possession of and lays at the disposal of Tao-tai Niu as representing the Chinese navy and army at Wei-hai-wei, solely out of respect to the memory of Admiral Ting, who did his duty towards his country.
The said steamer Kwang-chi is to be inspected by the Japanese naval officers on the morning of the 15th February, 1895 (21st January of Chinese calendar), to see that she is not equipped as a war vessel.
Art. XI. That it be always understood that after the present stipulations have been made the Chinese naval and military forces at Wei-hai-wei are to give up all hostile operations against the Japanese naval and military forces, and that the moment such operations are made the present stipulations shall lose effect at once and the Japanese naval and military forces shall resume hostilities.
16th February, 28th year of Meiji.
22nd of 1st month, 21st year of Kwangshu.
JAPANESE FLEET IN FEBRUARY, 1904.
(Ships in italics were not ready for sea
when the war began.)
(‡‡) = Approximate unit of battle value.
| Destroyers.[42] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thornycroft Type. | ||||
| Name. | Displacement. | Indicated horse-power. |
Speed. | Built. |
| Tons. | Knots. | |||
| Kagero | 275 | 5400 | 30 | 1898-99 |
| Murákumo | ||||
| Ousagoumo | ||||
| Shinonome | ||||
| Shiranöi | ||||
| Yuguri | ||||
| Asashio | 385 | 6000 | 31 | 1901 |
| Shirakuma | ||||
| Asagiri (J[43]) | ||||
| Harusame (J) | ||||
| Yarrow Type. |
||||
| Akebono | 306 | 6000 | 31 | 1898-99 |
| Ikadsuchi | ||||
| Inanzuma | ||||
| Oboro | ||||
| Sazanami | ||||
| Niji[44] (rebuilt) (J) | 1903 | |||
| Akatsuki | 385 | 6000 | 31 | 1901 |
| Kasumi | ||||
| Hayatori (J) | ||||
| Murasame (J) | ||||
| Torpedo Boats. First Class.[45] |
||||
| 1 Yarrow boat (Kotaka) | 190 | 1400 | 19 | 1886 |
| 5” boats | 135 | 2000 | 27 | 1898 |
| 1 Krupp boat | 128 | 1015 | 19 | 1895 |
| 4 Normand boats | 150 | 29 | 1899 | |
| 1 Schichau boat | 130 | (?) | 1900 | |
| 10 Kobé and Normand boats | 110 | 27 | 1900 | |
| 15 Kobé and Yarrow boats | 150 | 29 | 1900 | |
| Second Class. | ||||
| 3 Schichau boats | 85 | 23 | 1891 | |
| 2 Normand ” | 80 | 23 | 1891 | |
| 20 various boats | 56 | 20 | ||
| 10 new boats | 23 | 1901 | ||
| Miscellaneous Ships. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name. | Launched. | Displacement. | Armour belt. |
Armament. | Indicated horse-power. |
Speed. |
| Tons. | Ins. | Knots. | ||||
| Chihaya | 1901 | 850 | — | Two 4.7-in., four 12-pdrs. |
6000 | 21 |
| Tatsuta | 1894 | 875 | — | Two 4.7-in. | 5500 | 21 |
| Miyako | 1897 | 1800 | — | Ditto | 6130 | 20 |
| Yaeyama | 1889 | 1600 | — | Three 4.7-in. | 5500 | 20 |
| Takao | 1888 | 1800 | — | Four 6-in., one 4.7-in., one 12-pdr. |
2400 | 15 |
| Akagi | 1887 | 614 | — | Four 4.7-in. | 700 | 12 |
| Oshima | 1890 | 640 | — | Ditto | 1200 | 16 |
| Atago | 1887 | 640 | — | One 8.2-in., one 4.7-in. |
700 | 12 |
| Maya | 1887 | 640 | — | Ditto | 700 | 12 |
| Chiokai | 1888 | 640 | — | Two 6-in. | 700 | 12 |
| Tsushima | 1881 | 1380 | — | Two 10-in., four 4.7-in. |
2880 | 16.4 |
| Musashi | 1885 | 1480 | — | Two 6-in., four 4.7-in. |
1600 | 13.5 |
| Yamato | 1886 | 1480 | — | Ditto | 1600 | 13.5 |
| Amagi | 1030 | — | Old guns | — | — | |
| Kaimon | 1360 | — | — | — | ||
| Tenriu | 1550 | — | — | — | ||
| Fuso | 1877 | 3717 | 9 | Eight 6-in. | 3500 | 13 |
| Hei Yen | 1890 | 2000 | 8 | One 10-in., two 6-in. |
2400 | 11 |
| Six ex-Chinese gunboats |
— | — | — | — | — | — |