Mr. Sill to Mr.
Gresham.
No. 38.]
Legation of the
United States,
Seoul,
Korea, August 7, 1894. (Received
September 12.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I, last
evening, received a notice from the Japanese minister here, as per copy
inclosed, of the formal declaration of war by Japan against China on August
1. This notice was accompanied by a private note (see copy) informing me
that
[Page 50]
Japanese consulates, their
legation and subjects in China, would be under the protection of the United
States in consequence of the cessasation of peaceful conditions.
I at once communicated this intelligence to Captain Day, of the U. S. S. Baltimore, at Chemulpo, the senior naval officer
present.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 38.]
Mr. Otori to Mr.
Sill et al.
His
Imperial Japanese Majesty’s Legation,
Seoul, August
6, 1894.
The undersigned has the honor to inform his colleagues that the following
notice has been given by the Japanese Government to all foreign
representatives in Tokyo on the 31st of July, and that war has been
formally declared against China by the imperial rescript of August 1:
Japanese Government having exhausted every honorable means to
bring about a just and lasting settlement of differences
existing between China and Japan, and those efforts having
proved wholly unavailing, the undersigned has the honor in
fulfillment of duty devolving upon him to announce to you that a
state of war exists between China and Japan.
Mutsu Munemitsu,
His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s Minister for
Foreign Affairs.
The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to renew to his
colleagues the assurance of his highest consideration.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 38.]
Mr. Otori to Mr.
Sill.
Dear Mr. Sill: I have the honor to acquaint you
that I have received a telegram from His Imperial Japanese Majesty’s
minister for foreign affairs that our legation and consulates, their
archives, as well as Japanese subjects in China, have been placed under
the protection of the United States, those legations and consulates
having been withdrawn in consequence of the cessation of peaceful
relations between our country and China.
Yours, respectfully,
