Mr. Denby, chargé, to Mr. Gresham.
Peking, June 26, 1894. (Received August 3.)
Sir: The Korean insurrection, and the part taken in it by China and Japan, continue to excite the utmost interest here. The insurrection itself has sunk into insignificance compared with the complications between Korea’s two nearest neighbors to which it has given rise.
I am informed that more than 4,000 Japanese troops are now in Korea and that the Japanese Government is making preparations and holding itself in readiness for important movements. China, also, is increasing her forces. In addition to previous shipments, several hundred soldiers left Taku on the 22d instant for Chemulpo, and these are but part of 5,000 that are under orders to embark.
I am informed by the chargé d’affaires of Japan that a Japanese force is now in possession of Seoul and that the Chinese are encamped 15 miles south of that city. The Japanese Government does not propose to withdraw its forces until definite guarantees are given by China that it will not again interfere in Korean affairs, except as provided by the convention with Japan. This convention, executed at Tientsin in 1885, contains the following paragraph:
In case of any disturbance of a grave nature occurring in Korea which necessitates the respective countries, or either of them, to send troops to Korea, it is hereby understood that they shall give, each to the other, previous notice in writing of their intention so to do, and that, after the matter is settled, they shall withdraw their troops immediately, and not further station them there.
It is asserted that, in the present instance, the action of China was only communicated to Japan after it was an accomplished fact. The Chinese troops left Taku the 3d and arrived at Chemulpo the 5th instant, audit was not until this latter date, viz, June 5, that notice of their departure was given at Tokyo. Japan * * * notified [Page 25] China on the 7th instant that she had sent troops, which were disembarked on the 10th.
The ministers of the Yamên talk of this affair as if it were entirely in the hands of Li Hung chang. This confirms a report, which I have from the most reliable sources, that a secret imperial edict of about ten days ago constituted the great viceroy plenipotentiary in this affair, even to the power of dictating peace or war. The edict stated, however, that war would be exceedingly to be regretted in this year of rejoicing over the Empress sixtieth birthday.
The action of Japan is criticised here as hasty and unduly bellicose. Though there was never an international quarrel with less grounds for its justification, a conflict between the forces of the two countries seems imminent. * * * The army of Japan upon a war footing is only 120,000 men, while the Viceroy Li alone has 50,000 foreign-drilled troops, armed with modern arms, and of fine discipline and efficiency. Besides these, there are many thousand foreign-drilled troops in other parts of the empire, and a practically inexhaustible supply of the old fashioned native soldiery.
It is reported to-day that the representatives of the foreign powers at Seoul are striving to avert a conflict by inducing a simultaneous withdrawal of the hostile forces.
I have, etc.,