Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

THE TREATY OF 1894

77

treaties. The provisions in these treaties granting extra-territorial rights to foreigners residing in the treaty ports were especially resented as a trespass on national rights. The tariff restrictions were also proclaimed inimical to the interests of Japan, and their abolition clamoured for; while the foreign monopoly of the coasting trade, due to the preferential privileges conferred in the treaties, was regarded as unjust. These matters were repeatedly discussed in the diet, and by degrees a general unanimity of feeling became manifest on these points.

A series of negotiations were entered on with the Powers interested, and many interchanges of views took place between Count Ito and the British government.

Eventually, on the 16th July, 1894, a treaty of commerce and navigation was signed in London between the two countries, which revokes the earlier treaties, and serves as the Magna Charta of Japan in regard to her dealings with foreign States.1

The most vital clauses of this treaty are those which abolish extra-territoriality, and place all foreigners residing in Japan under Japanese law. The foreign settlements at the treaty ports are declared abolished, and incorporated in the respective communes. The coasting trade is brought under the operation of Japanese law, and reciprocity of commerce and navigation between the two countries decreed. By this treaty, the special ordinances imposed on Japan during the early period of foreign intercourse are abolished, and the country placed on the footing of an equality with the European Powers.

The conclusion of peace by the treaty of Shimonosaki, negotiated by the Marquis and Li Hung Chang, on the 17th April, 1895, was received with universal enthusiasm throughout Japan. It was realised that this treaty, coming after the triumphant victories which had everywhere distinguished Japanese arms, must place the country in the front rank of nations; and the extension of territory awarded by the cession of the Liaotung peninsula and Formosa served to flatter the pride of the people. When,

1 See Appendix B.

a week later, the joint protest against the occupation of the Liaotung peninsula, or any other portion of the mainland of China, made by Russia, France, and Germany, reached Japan, the people evinced the utmost indignation, and the Government feared awhile that if they were to take the obvious course, and assent to the demand made, it would cause a national rising throughout the country. But it was realised that it would be hopeless to enter on a contest with three first-class Powers, and, after a moment's hesitation, the government decided to renounce the Liaotung peninsula, and demand an additional indemnity of seven and a-half million pounds sterling in its place. These terms were agreed to by China, and the treaty was ratified at Chifu on the 8th May.

The acceptance of these modified terms by the government greatly irritated the people, who did not relish the abandonment of their country's hard won spoil. But prompt measures prevented any popular rising, and the suppression of the publication of the newspapers for a while, tended, by the absence of published news, to lull the mob into quietude.

A commercial treaty with Russia was arrived at on the 8th June, and the government proceeded to occupy the island of Formosa, while preparations for the augmentation of the army and navy were entered on at home. A treaty also with Russia, relating to rights in Korea, was signed, and will be found to be dealt with on pp. 97-100.

Early in the following year a treaty was arranged with Germany, and a period of marked commercial prosperity set in throughout the empire. In 1897 a gold standard was adopted by a large majority in both houses, and a difference of opinion on the subject of the emigration of Japanese labourers to the islands of Hawaii with the United States, appeared at one time likely to assume serious dimensions. The announcement of the annexation of these islands by the American government evoked a protest from Japan, but the matter was allowed to subside without further trouble.

On the 17th July, 1899, the revised treaties came into

THE OPENING OF JAPAN

79

force, and the whole of Japan was thrown open to European traders. On the last day of June the emperor issued a rescript referring to this event as one for heartfelt gratification, and enjoining his people " to unite with one heart to associate cordially with the peoples from afar." Edicts were subsequently issued according equal treatment and equal protection to followers of all religions, and the Buddhists were especially exhorted against any opposition to Christianity.

CHAPTER V

UNCLOSED KOREA

Exclusiveness of the Korean people-Early traditions-Relations with China Japanese descents-The invasion of HideyoshiArrival of missionaries Their persecution-First French expedition-Oppert's filibustering attempt-Fate of the General Sherman -Admiral Rodgers-Trouble with Japan-Opening of Fusan— Herr von Brandt's failure-Commodore Shulfeldt negotiates American Treaty-The British Treaty-Destruction of Japanese Legations-Convention of Tientsin-Murder of Kim Ok KiunThe rising of the Tong Haks-The China-Japanese War-Decline of Japanese influence-Reform measures- -Advent of Russia-The Treaty of Seoul-The Treaty of Tokio-Russian activity in Korea -The Masanpho concession-Railway enterprise-The coming struggle.

1 THE history of Korea is remarkable in the consistency it exhibits on the part of its inhabitants to maintain the exclusion from their shores of the people of every country but their own. The traditions of the founding of the kingdom go back to primæval times, and shadowy

rumours are still current of the deeds and ordinances of its rulers, as early as eleven hundred years before the Christian era. The accounts of these events of antiquity

1 NOTE. The record of Korean history comprised in this chapter is mainly based on two works, which have come to be accepted as in every way worthy of reliance, and the ground covered is so thoroughly done as to render it a work of supererogation for any other writer to attempt to perform the task afresh. The volumes are Mr. John Ross's History of Korea and Mr. W. E. Griffis's The Hermit Nation. In addition to these I have profited by the encyclopædic Histoire de l'Eglise de Corée of Père Dallet, Mr. Morris's War in Korea, Mrs. Bishop's Korea and her Neighbours, Mr. Gundry's China and her Neighbours, Lord Curzon's Problems of the Far East, and the mass of information comprised in the Korean Repository. Other authorities will be found referred to as the information derived from them appears in the text.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
« EdellinenJatka »