The Imperial Japanese Navy

by Fred T. Jane

THE CONVENTION OF SURRENDER

Towards 7 p.m. of 13th February Tao-tai Niu Chang-Ping, accompanied by Captain Ching, came under a white flag to the Matsushima. He introduced himself as the representative of the naval and military forces at Wei-hai-wei. Admiral Ito then proposed to him several conditions relating to the vessels, forts and materials of war, the escorting of the Chinese and foreign officers and men out of Wei-hai-wei, and so forth. After a consultation of several hours Tao-tai Niu and Captain Ching left the ship, arranging to come back before 2 p.m. on the 14th.

At 2 p.m. on the 14th, Tao-tai Niu, the Chinese plenipotentiary, came again under a white flag, accompanied by Captain Ching, and after further consultation the following terms were agreed upon between the two parties as conditions of capitulation, and the English version of them, which was to serve as the original text, was signed by Admiral Ito and Tao-tai Niu.

Art. I. That a list of the names, functions, and ranks of all the naval and military officers, both Chinese and foreign, required to be transported in safety, should be produced. For foreigners, their nationalities should also be mentioned. As to soldiers, clerks, etc., only their numbers are to be given.

Art. II. That all the naval and military officers, both Chinese and foreign, should pledge themselves by a formal declaration in writing that they will not re-engage themselves in the present war between Japan and China.

Art. III. That all the weapons, powder, and projectiles for use of land forces on the Island of Liu-kung-tau should be collected in fixed places, and these places made known to us. The soldiers of the said land forces shall be landed at Chiu-tau, and from thence they are to be conducted by Japanese guards to the outposts of the Japanese army now occupying the localities around Wei-hai-wei. The landing is to begin from 5 o’clock p.m. on the 14th of February, 1895 (20th January, Chinese calendar), and end before noon on the 15th February, 1895 (21st January of the Chinese calendar).

Art. IV. That Tao-tai Niu, representing the Chinese naval and military forces at Wei-hai-wei as plenipotentiary, should appoint a suitable number of committees, for the delivery of the vessels and forts. These committees are required to send in before noon, February 15th, 1895, a list of the vessels and forts in their charge with the number and kinds of the guns, rifles, and other weapons now contained in these vessels or forts.

Art. V. That the Chinese naval and military officers and men, native and foreign, should be allowed to leave Wei-hai-wei after noon on the 16th of February, 1895 (22nd of January of the Chinese calendar), in the steamship Kwang-Chi, sailing out of the harbour under the condition stipulated in Art. X.

Art. VI. That the Chinese naval and military officers, both native and foreign, should be allowed to take with them their personal movable property only, with the exception of arms, which are to be delivered up even if they be private property. Whenever deemed necessary the things they take away shall be submitted to inspection.

Art. VII. That the permanent residents, i.e. the original inhabitants of the Island of Liu-kung-tau, should be persuaded to continue their abode on the island.

Art. VIII. That the landing of the requisite number of the Japanese officers and men, on the Island of Liu-kung-tau, in order to take possession of the forts and materials of war on the island, should commence from 9 o’clock a.m. on the 16th of February, 1895 (22nd of January by Chinese calendar), but that Admiral Ito reserves to himself the right of sending a certain number of the Japanese men-of-war into the harbour, whenever the necessity occurs at any time after the signing of the present stipulations.

The naval officers, both native and foreign, on board the Chinese vessels may remain therein until 9 o’clock a.m. on the 16th February, 1895 (22nd January of Chinese calendar). Those marines, seamen, etc., on board the same vessels who wish to be escorted out of Wei-hai-wei by land should be landed in the same place and escorted in the same way as the soldiers of the land forces, the landing to begin from noon on the 15th of February (21st January of Chinese calendar), that is to say after the landing of the soldiers of the land forces is finished.

Art. IX. That women, children, aged persons and other non-combatants who wish to leave the Island of Liu-kung-tau should be allowed to sail out of either the eastern or western mouth of the harbour in Chinese junks any time after the morning of the 15th of February, 1895 (21st January of the Chinese calendar). These vessels are, however, to be examined by the Japanese naval officers and men in the torpedo boats or the other boats posted at the mouth of the harbour, the examination extending to both persons and baggage.

Art. X. That the coffins of the lamented Admiral Ting and the officers next to him should be allowed to be carried out of the harbour after noon on the 16th of February, 1895 (22nd of January of the Chinese calendar), and before noon on the 23rd of February, 1895 (29th January of the Chinese calendar), in the steamer Kwang-chi, which Admiral Ito refrains from taking possession of and lays at the disposal of Tao-tai Niu as representing the Chinese navy and army at Wei-hai-wei, solely out of respect to the memory of Admiral Ting, who did his duty towards his country.

The said steamer Kwang-chi is to be inspected by the Japanese naval officers on the morning of the 15th February, 1895 (21st January of Chinese calendar), to see that she is not equipped as a war vessel.

Art. XI. That it be always understood that after the present stipulations have been made the Chinese naval and military forces at Wei-hai-wei are to give up all hostile operations against the Japanese naval and military forces, and that the moment such operations are made the present stipulations shall lose effect at once and the Japanese naval and military forces shall resume hostilities.

Signed: Admiral Ito.
Signed: Niu Chang-Ping.

16th February, 28th year of Meiji.
22nd of 1st month, 21st year of Kwangshu.