J. K. Ito,
Vice-Admiral,
Commander-in-Chief.”
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.