The Sino-Japanese
War of 1894 to 1895
marked the beginning of the conflicts between Japan and China
because both countries wanted control of Korea.(1) The war lasted
a year, but because of our modernization we had superior technology
and China wasn't able to hold their own. Today, the 17th of April
1895, a peace
treaty was signed at Shimononseki as the conclusion to the Sino-Japanese War.
The people that were present at the signing of the peace treaty for us are as follows: His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, 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.(2) Ito Hirobumi, our emperor, was the one who decided and signed the treaty along with Li Hung-chang for China.
The people that were present at the signing of the peace treaty for China are as follows: 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 Chili, and Earl of the First Rank; and LI Ching-fong, Ex-Minister of the Diplomatic Service, of the Second Official Rank. (3)
People should be very proud today because we have acquired Taiwan,
part of China's Liaodong peninsula, the Pescadores Islands and
the island of Formosa. This treaty has allowed us to now become
the world's first non-western imperial power. We are now able
to reach our goal of a treaty revision with the powers of the
West because of the Treaty of Shimonoseki.(4) We have taken Taiwan
in as our first colony, much to the dislike of the Chinese. China
can now reimburse us for the war debts, "China agrees to
pay to Japan as a war indemnity the sum of 200,000,000 Kuping
taels."(5)We are now demanding that China increase the indemnity
by 30 million more taels.(6)
With this treaty we are able
to have more access to trade, "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 open cities, towns, and
ports of China: 1.Shashih in the province of Hupeh 2. Chungking,
in the province of Szechwan 3. Suchow, in the province of Kiangsu
4. Hangchow, the province of Chekiang"(7) We have more rights
as Japanese citizens and China now more than ever has to recognize
these rights and treat us fairly.
This treaty comes at a time when the people of Japan have really come together. The spirit of Japan has never been stronger and our attempts to modernize are paying off. We are now closer as a country and our nationalism is stronger then ever. We have taken on the major power of China and won. China is now realizing their weakness and we have now come to realize our strengths as a country. Today is a day that will always be important to our people because it is a day when we earned respect and came together as a nation.
Sources:
1. "Sino-Japanese War, First,"[http://www.encyclopedia.com/articles/42795.html],January 2002.
2. "Treaty of Shimonoseki," [http://www.taiwandocuments.org/shimonoseki01.htm],January 2002.
3. Ibid
4.James L. McClain,A Modern History: Japan(New York: W.W. Norton and Co.) 299.
5."Treaty of Shimonoseki," [http://www.taiwandocuments.org/shimonoseki01.htm],January 2002.
6. Ibid
7. Ibid
Images:
1. Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty Memorial Hall
"Treaty of Shimonoseki", [http://www.taiwandocuments.org/shimonoseki01.htm],January 2002.
2. Map of China, Japan, and Korea
"Far East",[http://www.worldtravelguide.net/navigate/region/fea.asp],January 2002.