THE PROPOSAL TO SURRENDER
“I, TING, commander-in-chief of the Pei-yang squadron, acknowledge having previously received a letter from Vice-Admiral Ito, commander of the port of Sasebo. This letter I have not answered until to-day, owing to the hostilities going on between our fleets. It had been my intention to continue fighting until every one of my men-of-war was sunk and the last sailor killed; but I have reconsidered the matter and now request a truce, hoping thereby to save many lives. I earnestly beseech you to refrain from doing further hurt to the Chinese and Westerners serving in the army and navy of China, as well as to the townspeople of Wei-hai-wei; in return for which I offer to surrender to the empire of Japan all my men-of-war, the forts on Liu-kung-tau and all material of war in and about Wei-hai-wei. If Vice-Admiral Ito will accede to these terms, I desire to have the commander-in-chief of the British warships in the offing as a guarantor of the contract. Requesting an answer to this by to-morrow, I have the honour to remain, etc.
Signed: Admiral Ting.
18th day, 1st month, 21st year of Kwangshu (12th Feb. 1895).”
“I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favour, and to accept the proposal therein contained. Accordingly I shall take over all the men-of-war, the forts and all warlike material from your hands. As to the time when the surrender is to take place, I will consult you again on receiving your reply to this. My idea is, after taking over everything, to escort you and the others referred to in your letter on board one of our warships to some safe place where your convenience may be suited. If I may be permitted to speak quite frankly, I advise you for your own and your country’s sake to remain in Japan until the war is over. Should you decide to come to my country you may rest assured that you will be treated with distinguished consideration. But if you desire to return to your native land I shall of course put no obstacle in your path. As for any British guarantee, I think it quite unnecessary, and trust in your honour as an officer and a gallant man. Requesting your reply to this by 10 a.m. to-morrow, I have the honour to remain, etc.
Signed: Admiral Ito.
12th February, 1895.”
“I am delighted to learn that you are in the enjoyment of good health. I thank you heartily for your kind reply, and the assurance that the lives of those under me will be spared. You have kindly forwarded me certain gifts, but while I thank you I cannot accept them, our two nations being at war. You write that you desire me to surrender everything into your hands to-morrow. This gives too short a period in which to make the necessary preparations, and I fear that the troops will not be able to evacuate the place by the time specified. I therefore pray you to wait until the 22nd day of the 1st month (Chinese calendar), February 16th. You need not fear that I shall go back from my word.
Signed: Admiral Ting.
18th day, 1st month (12th February).”
“His Imperial Majesty’s Ship Matsushima,
February 13th, 1895.
“To the officers representing the Chinese fleet at
Wei-hai-wei.
“I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the letter of Admiral Ting dated the 18th of January of the Chinese year. The report of the death of Admiral Ting last night, communicated verbally by the messenger who brought over the said letter, I received with great personal regret.
“As to postponing taking over the vessels, forts and other materials of war until the 22nd of January of the Chinese year, I am ready to comply with it under a certain condition. This condition is that some responsible Chinese officer should come over to this our flagship Matsushima before 6 o’clock p.m. this day, the 13th of February according to the Japanese year, and we will then make certain arrangements, which have to be definitely fixed, regarding the taking over of the said vessels, forts and other materials of war, as well as the escorting of the Chinese and foreign officers and men out of Wei-hai-wei. In my last letter to the lamented Admiral Ting I stated that as to the hour and other minor conditions I should be glad to make arrangements with him on the morrow; so as he is now dead, these minor conditions have to be arranged with some one who can deal with us in his stead.
“It is my express wish that the said officer who is to come to this our flagship for the above purpose be a Chinese, not a foreign officer, and be it understood that I am willing to receive him with honour.
J. K. Ito,
Vice-Admiral,
Commander-in-Chief.”