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17 Apr 1895 Peace treaty concluded between Japan and China (Treaty of Shimonoseki)

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  • [China] Foreign countries negotiating peace with the Imperial Commissioner Li Fuxiang [Li Hongzhang]

    Foreign countries negotiating peace with the Imperial Commissioner Li Fuxiang [Li Hongzhang]
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    Shelfmark： 16126.d.2(14)
    Title: [China] Foreign countries negotiating peace with the Imperial Commissioner Li Fuxiang [Li Hongzhang]
    On 17 April 1895 the peace treaty was signed by Japan's Plenipotentiary Prime Minister Itō Hirobumi, Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu, China's representative the Imperial Commissioner and Plenipotentiary Li Hongzhang (Minister of Beiyang Commerce and Viceroy of Zhili) and Imperial Commissioner Li Jingfang, former Chinese Ambassador to Japan. This brought the Sino-Japanese war to an end although fighting continued in Taiwan. This Chinese print depicts the peace conference but does not reflect reality in several respects in front of Itō Hirobumi and Li Hongzhang is the kneeling figure of Koyama Toyotarō (Rokunosuke) who had shot Li on 24 March. In addition representatives of Korea, the USA, UK and other countries are shown in the conference hall though in fact this was not the case.
    the British Library
    [Shelfmark： 16126.d.2(14)]
    All images of the prints used on this website are provided by the British Library and are in the public domain.
    PUBLIC DOMAIN

Documents

PDF
Reference Code： B13090893700 Title： Signed copy of treaty (with associated maps)
This is the original of the Treaty of Shimonoseki signed at the conclusion of the negotiations. Image 1 shows the cover with the official Japanese title "Meiji 27-28-nen sen'eki Nisshin kōwa jōyaku" [1894-1895 War Sino-Japanese Peace treaty]. Image 3 onwards shows the full Japanese text with the Chinese text from image 18. Images 39-40 are maps showing the boundaries of the area of the Liaodong Peninsula over which Japan was given sovereignty and possession of fortifications, arsenals and public property according to Article 2 of the treaty.
PDF
Reference Code： B06150070400 Title： Li Hongzhang meets with an accident
This is the summary of a report into the shooting of Li Hongzhang, China's Pleniptentiary at the peace conference, by Koyama Toyotarō (Rokunosuke) as he travelled back to his lodging after the 3rd session on 24 March 1895. Image 2 is the telegram in which Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu informs Hayashi Tadasu, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, of the incident. It states that Li was wounded in the cheekbone under his eye and that Mutsu and Itō Hirobumi, the Japanese Plenipotentiary, had immeditately paid a vist to Li. Also included are documents which report Li's condition and expressions of concern from various quarters, consider the reactions to the incident from various countries and record discussions on the Japanese side on whether there should be a temporary ceasefire as the Chinese wished.
PDF
Reference Code： B06150073300 Title： Section 2
Second half of the record of the Peace Conference. Image 94 onwards give the contents of the 7th session on the 17 April when the treaty was signed. Image 2 onwards covers the 5th session on 10 April and 37 onwards is the 6th session on 15 April. All of them provide a detailed record of the speakers and what they said giving a clear picture of the negotiations.