Mr. Sill to Mr.
Gresham.
No. 94.]
Legation of the
United States,
Seoul,
Korea, January 15, 1895. (Received
February 19.)
Sir: In reply to your instruction of November 27,
asking for facts regarding recent treaty negotiations between Korea and
Japan, I have the honor to inform you that, upon urgent request, I have been
furnished by the minister for foreign affairs with a copy of a treaty
between Korea and Japan, ratified in this city August 26, 1894, a copy of
which, with a translation, I now inclose.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
94.—Translation.]
The treaty which has been ratified between Korea and
Japan on the 23d day of the sixth moon of the five hundred and third
year of the foundation of Korea and the 25th day of July of the
twenty-seventh year of Meiji [July 25,
1894].
The Korean Government hereby commissions the envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary of Japan, who resides at Seoul, Korea, to expel
the Chinese forces from the Korean Kingdom on behalf of the Korean
Government. Both Governments having agreed to mutually aid each other
and help in attacking the Chinese and in defending themselves. And in
order to insure the success of this joint action of
[Page 94]
both countries, the undersigned
commissioners of each country are given full power to ratify the treaty,
as follows:
I.
This treaty is an agreement to expel the Chinese forces from the Korean
Kingdom, and to strongly establish the independence of, Korea, as well
as to fulfill the privileges and immunities which are enjoyed by both
countries.
II.
As Japan has undertaken to attack the Chinese, Korea shall have to exert,
the utmost efforts in all possible ways to facilitate the movements of
the Japanese troops to and fro and in preparing provisions for these
troops.
III.
This treaty shall be abolished on the date of making a treaty of amity
with China.
Wherefore the commissioners of both
countries have hereunto set their seals and signatures this 26th day of the seventh moon of the five
hundred and third year of Ta Chosen [Korea] and the 26th of
August of the twenty-seventh year of Meiji [August 25,
1894].
- Kim Yun-Sik,
(Korean) Minister
for Foreign Affairs
- K. Otori,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of
Japan to Korea.
