In modern Japan, since the Meiji Restoration 's national strength has become increasingly strong, it has been eyeing neighboring countries. After the Sino-Japanese War of 1895, we have asked us to cede land and pay compensation.
Japanese lion asked for 30,000 square kilometers of Liaodong Peninsula , and was later forced to return it under pressure from three countries.
Shamely signing the " Treaty of Shimonoseki "
After the Meiji Restoration, Japan embarked on the path of development of capitalism .
As the national strength is growing, the Japanese rulers' ambitions are getting bigger and bigger, and they have gradually formulated a "mainland policy" for external expansion.
This policy is centered on invading China and is divided into five steps: the first step is to occupy Taiwan, the second step is to annex North Korea, the third step is to invade Manchuria and Mongolia, the fourth step is to destroy China, and the fifth step is to conquer Asia and then dominate the world.
1894 Sino-Japanese War , which broke out in 1894, is the specific implementation of Japan's "mainland policy".
1894, the North Korean Dongxue Party Uprising broke out, which was also the fuse of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895.
Dongxue Party Uprising is also known as Sino-Japanese Peasant War . It is a massive peasant uprising led by the Dongxue Taoist disciples in North Korea. The purpose of the uprising is to oppose the feudal rule of the Korean dynasty and oppose the invasion and division of North Korea by the great powers.
At that time, the North Korean government troops were defeated step by step under the strong attack of the rebel army, so they had to ask for help from China, the sovereign ruler.
Just as the Qing army landed in North Korea, Japan also sent a 700-person advance team into North Korea on the grounds of protecting the embassies and expatriates in North Korea.
However, just a few days later, the North Korean government reached a ceasefire agreement with the domestic uprising troops.
The North Korean government immediately requested China and Japan to withdraw troops from North Korea. On the one hand, Japan agreed fully, but on the other hand, it continued to increase reinforcements to North Korea.
Finally, the number of Japanese troops in North Korea has reached tens of thousands.
With strong military power as a backing, Japanese Minister to North Korea Keisuke Oto started to constantly provoke the Qing government, taking the opportunity to delay time, and preparing for the upcoming Sino-Japanese War in 1894-1895.
As time goes by, Japan's attempt to take the opportunity to launch a war against China has become clear.
's 60th birthday was coming. In order not to affect her birthday, Empress Dowager Cixi was very reluctant to have conflicts with Japan. She wanted to resolve the imminent war between China and Japan through mediation between Britain, the United States, Russia and other countries.
The Japanese government's ambitions, and the Western powers such as Britain, the United States, and Russia naturally knew it well. They hoped that China and Japan could truly go to war, because only when the snipe and the clam fight, could these fishermen benefit.
On July 23, 1894, Japan launched a sudden attack on the royal palace of North Korea. As a result, the North Korean government was defeated and became a puppet in Japan's hands.
On July 25, the Japanese army launched another raid on the Qing army's troop transport ships on the sea surface of Fengdao , triggering the Fengdao naval battle .
At this point, the Sino-Japanese War of 1895 officially broke out.
August 1, China and Japan officially declared war.
Of course, there is no need to say much about the outcome of the Sino-Japanese War in 1894-1895. What's going on in the Qing Dynasty? The opponent of Japan, who has just ended the Meiji Restoration.
On February 2, 1895, Japanese Prime Minister Ito Hirobuki made a request for peace talks to the Qing government.
On March 14, 1895, Li Hongzhang and others set off from Tianjin to settle the peace agreement in Japan Maguan (now Xiaguan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture).
19, the peace delegation arrived at the Mushi of Kitakyushu .
20, the Qing government's plenipotentiary representative Li Hongzhang, Japanese plenipotentiary representative Prime Minister Hirobuki Ito, Foreign Minister Muro Otsumikami and US adviser Duan Dichen began negotiations at the Chunfan Building of Maguan.
It is obvious that the Qing Dynasty's national strength at that time was not qualified to negotiate with Japan at all. This negotiation of course ended with the Qing Dynasty's repeated concessions.
During the negotiations, Li Hongzhang repeatedly begged for relief of blackmail, but was flatly rejected by Hirofumi Ito.
American Koshida also helped Japan from the side and urged Li Hongzhang to sign.
At the early 17th April, Li Hongzhang finally signed a humiliating treaty with Japan's plenipotentiary representative - the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Shimonoseki.
In addition to opening trade ports and compensating Japan's military expenditures, the most important thing is to cede the Liaodong Peninsula, Taiwan Island and Penghu Islands .
After the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, it sparked a series of condemnation across the country.
At that time, the people rose up and opposed it and demanded that the contract be broken and the war be fought again. Especially in Taiwan, the third day after the contract was signed, the Taiwanese people "run around and told each other, gathered to cry in the city of , day and night, and cried in the four fields" and expressed their determination to "a place of hometown, righteousness and survival."
Guangxu Emperor is under strong pressure from the United States in his hesitation and wandering emotions.
The exchange of interests reached secretly by the United States and Japan made it hope that the Qing government would approve the treaty as soon as possible.
On April 20, Ito Hirobuki sent a telegram to Li Hongzhang on Hiroshima that Japan had completed the approval of the peace treaty: "His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has approved the treaty." The approved persons in
are in Japanese, Chinese, and the terms and drawings.
The United States immediately expressed support for Japan's rapid pledge of the contract.
At that time, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained to the US ambassador to Japan regarding the emperor's ratification of the treaty, and expressed his hope that the United States would support it. The US ambassador to Japan readily agreed and reported to the country.
On April 29, Japanese Minister to the United States Shinichiro Suno telegraphed the US President's commitment to Muro Oshimitsu, "The United States' commitment to work with Japan within the scope of being inconsistent with external neutrality; and the ratification of the peace treaty has been approved by the US Minister in Beijing to advise China to approve the contract quickly."
The signing of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Shimonoseki provides an excellent opportunity for joint intervention by the great powers. The time for Russia, Germany and France to form an alliance is ripe.
Japan would never have thought that with the support of the United States, all the cooked ducks could fly, and the area was about 30,000 square kilometers of the Liaodong Peninsula was forced to return it to China under the interference of Russia, Germany and France.
was forced to return the Liaodong Peninsula
The Treaty of Shimonoseki stipulates that the Qing government ceded the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan. This piece seriously threatens Russia's aggression interests in Northeast China and North China, and will also seriously weaken Russia's strategic position in fighting for China and the hegemony of East Asia, further intensifying the contradiction between Japan and Russia's struggle for Northeast China.
Because Russia has long classified China's Northeast as its sphere of influence, Russia's "Yellow Russia Plan" is seriously threatened by Japan's "Continental Policy".
Therefore, after the news of Japan's occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula reached Russia, some representatives of the Russian ruling class immediately advocated taking advantage of the situation and expanding to China.
Russia mobilized 21 warships to form the largest fleet of Far East , and carried out activities in Chinese waters in the name of helping China "attachment".
At the same time, using the excuse of "preventing the military operations in Japan from moving northward so that they will not touch the Russian territory and Russian interests in this or that", a large number of troops were assembled on the Sino-Russian border.
When 895, 895, 95, was still in progress, and when Japan occupied the Liaodong Peninsula, Russia had already felt panic about losing its interests.
However, at that time, Russia was worried that interfering in the peace talks between China and Japan would push Japan into the arms of Britain.
Russia knew that Japan would ask the Qing government to cede the land, but it did not know the specific content of the peace talks, so it took a wait-and-see attitude.
From April, Mu Ao Zongguang submitted a draft peace agreement to Li Hongzhang, and the terms of mortification include ceding the Liaodong Peninsula.
After receiving the news, Russian Minister of Finance Vitt immediately reported to Tsar Nicholas II . He suggested that Tsar interfere with Japan's invasion of territory because it is in Russia's interests.
There are still people in Russia who are worried about Werther's suggestion, so they blame Japan. Will it also push Russia to the front of the confrontation between Japan and Russia?
Russian Foreign Minister Robanov believed with great concern that although Russia should try to prevent Japan from becoming stronger through the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, it also needs to "carefully give up any hostilities against Japan so as not to harm the friendly relations between our country and Japan in the future."
He admitted that Japan's seizure of the Liaodong Peninsula was the most unpleasant thing for Russia, but given the British indulgence towards Japan, Russia cannot help but be cautious.
Robanov's opinion was opposed by some Russian powerful officials, who believed that he had ignored Russia's Far Eastern interests.
Based on the different attitudes within the government, the Tsar presided over a special meeting on April 11 to conclude whether to interfere with the Sino-Japanese peace treaty. The discussion at the meeting was very fierce. Russian Marshal Alexeyev agreed with Robanov's previous view, believing that to curb Britain's expansion in the Far East, good relations with Japan must be maintained, and even support Japan in private. Russia can reach an agreement with Japan to respect Russia's rights and interests in China.
However, Japan's desire to occupy Liaodong has changed Robanov's attitude. He changed his attitude before this special meeting and pointed out that Japan is the most unethical country in the world. Don't expect to sign any secret agreement with Japan. Russia cannot get the friendship of Japan.
The tough Vite insisted on his position at this meeting. He believed that Japan's hostilities were targeting Russia. If Japan occupied Northeast China, it would not only annex North Korea, but also threaten Russia's interests in the future.
Witt said that if they insist on Japan returning the Liaodong Peninsula, then Russia can become China's savior and demand more benefits from China.
On April 16, Tsar Nicholas II approved the decision and asked the Foreign Minister to formally notify European countries and China.
The next day, Robertonov proposed to Germany and France that if Japan does not accept Russia's advice, it will join forces with Germany and France to take joint military actions against Japan.
Russia's proposal is exactly in line with Germany's idea.
As early as April 4, Germany expressed to Russia that it hoped to interfere with Russia in Japan's seizure of the Liaodong Peninsula.
At that time, Germany wanted to build a naval base on Chinese territory and also valued the Liaodong Peninsula very much.
Therefore, Japan's move to occupy the Liaodong Peninsula violated Germany's will.
As the Sino-Japanese War approached the end of the year, Germany first started to engage in diplomacy.
It premiered to tell the British government that if a third country gains new benefits from China after the war, Germany will also gain considerable benefits, and hopes to work with Britain to deal with other contenders.
However, because Britain did not give a reply, Germany turned to Russia and told Russia that there was no conflict in the Far East.
When Japan informed the countries of the terms of peace talks, Britain clearly stated that it was not ready to take action, but Russia made the decision to interfere immediately, so Germany tried its best to support and encourage Russia to speed up its action.
Germany is so keen on interference, it has two purposes.
One of them is to seek to gain new rights and invade strongholds in the craze of dividing China.
On March 14, Germany wrote to the UK, expressing explicitly that if we act in concert with Russia, we may get China's gratitude and realize our long-cherished wish to ced or lease a region from China as a coastal base.
The second is to shift Russia's sight to the East to relieve the pressure on it from the Russian-French alliance in Europe.
This is just as the German Emperor William II said, in order to mitigate the threat from Germany's eastern border as much as possible, it is an action in line with the interests of Germany.
For these two purposes, Germany actively participated in activities to interfere in Japan's occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula.
As Russia's allies in Europe, France's position on the Sino-Japanese issue is basically shifted by Russia's attitude.
At the same time, France also attempts to seize harbors and divide its spheres of influence from China.
Although France once induces the British government to participate in the intervention of Liaoning because it takes into account its people's hatred towards Germany, it once induced the British government to participate in the intervention of Liaoning in order to transform the actions of France, Russia and Germany into joint actions of several major European countries.
However, due to being rejected by the British government, France finally had to consider the issues from the alliance between France and Russia and move in a consistent manner.
After the three countries interfered in the "return to Liao", Germany was the first to speak out to Japan.
On the morning of April 20, Gokumeed came to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and stated that he had received domestic instructions from Germany and would convey an important document to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will be officially notified with other countries.
At this time, Foreign Minister Lu Ao Zongguang was recuperating outside, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister Lin was not present. Brother Qumead proposed to come and convey it the next day, but the next day, Brother Qumead did not come, but said that there was something temporary and he could not get out. He asked the embassy librarian to notify the Japanese side and meet on the 22nd.
Early in the morning on the 22nd, Ge Qumeid came to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with Director Lin , claiming: "Because of important matters, I hope to meet with the Minister of State who can make a definite reply on behalf of the Japanese government, namely the Prime Minister or the Minister of Foreign Affairs."
Director Lin replied: "The Minister of Foreign Affairs cannot meet immediately due to illness. I hope to inform the official of the meeting, and I hope to quickly convey the minister to the minister."
Director Lin said: "If so, after discussing with other colleagues, I will come to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again in the afternoon."
4 to 1:30 pm on the 22nd, the German Minister went to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs again to meet again.
The reason why the German minister repeatedly asked for the delay of the meeting was mainly because the ministers of Russia and France had not received orders from their governments.
In order to create a common atmosphere of interference, Gequmid cannot help but delay.
On the 23rd, Russian Foreign Minister Robanov met with France and Germany's ambassador to Russia, and stated that "the Russian government decided to immediately submit a request to the Japanese government not to permanently occupy China's mainland in a friendly manner... I hope France and Germany will join this action."
"If Japan does not accept this advice, Russia is considering the three countries taking common military actions against Japan."
Germany agreed with Russia's proposal. In order to consolidate the Russian-French alliance and take the opportunity to profit, France also agreed to participate in the joint intervention of the three countries.
The ministers of Russia, France and Germany to Japan jointly went to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit a "friendship advice" to the Japanese government, demanding that Japan give up its permanent occupation of the Liaodong Plain, and give a reply within 15 days.
At the same time, it also puts military pressure on Japan. The Russian government ordered all Russian ships anchored in Japanese ports to be ready to start anchoring at any time within 24 hours.
A large number of warships were concentrated in Yantai and Kobe for demonstrations.
The German Emperor also ordered the fleet commander on the coast of China to concentrate the warships at the North China Harbour and maintain contact with the Russian fleet.
Russian Acting Navy Minister Chikhaqiv said intimidately: "Russia's fleet is powerful and morale is high. Japan's maritime connections can be cut off without large-scale combat."
The joint interference of the three countries was much unexpected to Japan, and it was particularly surprised by the sudden change in Germany's attitude.
htmlOver 08 months of war of aggression against China consumed a lot of Japan's manpower and material resources.
Japan is in internal and external difficulties. At this time, if he flatly refuses "advice", he will inevitably be interfered by force; but he is unwilling to accept the request of the Three Kingdoms in full.
So, he used his erratic diplomatic skills to try to win over the United States, Britain and other countries to restrain the joint intervention of the three countries.
The United States and Japan are allies and have always supported Japan's invasion of China.
Therefore, in order to deal with the interference of Russia, Germany and France, Japan wanted to win over the United States, Britain and other countries and form a joint front for anti-interference.
However, tactful diplomatic rhetoric such as "the British government decided not to interfere in this incident" rejected Japan's request.
Although the US government is willing to support Japan, it feels powerless to face the joint actions of the three countries.
, especially the UK's cold attitude, has made the United States also worry.
had to tell Japan that it could "instruct the US ambassador to China to advise the Chinese government to ratify the treaty", and that as for aiding Japan, it must "not conflict with the outside world neutrality of the United States."
Japan's request was also rejected by the United States through ambiguous diplomatic methods.
Seeing that Britain and the United States could not help themselves, Japan had to bow its head under pressure from Russia, Germany and France.
Under the diplomatic pressure and military deterrence of the three countries, Japanese Prime Minister Hirofumi Ito felt that he was at a loss and his skills were exhausted.
He had to give a note to the Russian, German and French governments on May 5, claiming that in view of the friendship and advice of the Russian, German and French governments, he agreed to give up the occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula.
Although Japan gave up occupying the Liaodong Peninsula under the pressure of the Three Kingdoms, it was "threatening to threaten it and seeking luxury" in its heart, and it did not really want to return it.
initially proposed that the redemption of Liao was 10,000 taels, in an attempt to use such a huge amount of compensation to force China to be discouraged, achieving the goal of not only long-term occupation but also leaving the Three Kingdoms speechless. However, this trick was seen through by Russia. After negotiations with Germany and France, Russia proposed the outline of "returning Liao" to Japan.
On August 26, the Qing court appointed Li Hongzhang as plenipotentiary minister to negotiate with Japan on the return of Liaodong. Starting from the third day of September, negotiations on the return of the Liaodong Peninsula were officially held.
Li Hongzhang repeatedly demanded a reduction in compensation during the negotiations, while Japan made no concessions at all according to the conditions agreed in advance with the three countries.
On September 22, the Qing government was forced to sign 6 paragraphs of the Treaty of South Liao and the "Decision Articles", and then redeem the Liaodong Peninsula at an expensive price of 30 million taels of silver.
The three countries' interference in Liao is essentially a diplomatic battle between imperialist countries and robbery of the Liaodong Peninsula.
The intervention of the Three Kingdoms and Liao was a fierce battle between imperialist powers to fight for China's territory and rights, and was the beginning of the frenzy of the great powers dividing China at the end of the 19th century.
This intervention completely exposed Russia's greedy ambition to invade Northeast China and is an important step in Russia's attempt to dominate Northeast China.
Russia used the excuse of interfering in returning Liaoning to make contributions, constantly looking for opportunities to ask for "reward" from the Qing government, occupying Lushun and Dalian .
Japan was forced to withdraw from Liaodong, so of course it would not give up. The war between Japan and Russia for Northeast China was inevitable.
Behind you will be beaten
The Qing Dynasty came to the end, and I donβt know how many treaties that were deprived of power and humiliating with the great powers. Every treaty erodes the flesh and blood of the Qing people, and the flesh and blood of the poor people on the land of China.
Chairman Mao once said that if you fall behind, you will be beaten. The Wulihe imperialism of the Qing Dynasty once opposed, but now China is an independent major country. If there are still people who try to interfere in our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, there will definitely be no good ending.
Reference
"Seventy Years of Diplomacy in the Late Qing Dynasty"
