Directory_and_Chronicle_1904 — Page 283

AGREEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND JAPAN RE COREA

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Art. III.-The Representative of Russia quite agrees with the Representative of Japan that at the present state of affairs in Corea it may be necessary to have Japanese guards stationed at some places for the protection of the Japanese telegraph line between Fusan and Seoul, and that these guards, now consisting of three com- panies of soldiers, should be withdrawn as soon as possible and replaced by gendarmes, who will be distributed as follows:-Fifty men at Taiku, fifty men at Kaheung, and ten men each at ten intermediate posts between Fusan and Seoul. This distribution may be liable to some changes, but the total number of the gendarmes force shall never exceed 200 men, who will afterwards gradually be with- drawn from such places where peace and order have been restored by the Corean Goverument.

Art. IV. For the protection of the Japanese settlements at Seoul and the open ports against possible attacks by the Corean populace two companies of Japanese troops may be stationed at Seoul, one company at Fusan and one at Gensan, each Company not to exceed 200 men. These troops will be quartered near the settle- ments, and shall be withdrawn as soon as no apprehensions of such attack could be entertained.

For the protection of the Russian Legation and Consulates the Russian Govern- ment may also keep guards not exceeding the number of Japanese troops at those places, and which will be withdrawn as soon as tranquillity in the interior is completely restored.

Seoul, May 14th, 1896.

C. WAEBER, Representative of Russia. J. KOMURA, Representative of Japan.

RUSSO-JAPANESE AGREEMENT REGARDING COREA

PROTOCOL

Baron Rosen, State Councillor, Chamberlain, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Emperor of Russia, and Baron Nissi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Emperor of Japan, in order to give effect to Article IV. of the Protocol signed at Moscow on June 9, 1896, between Prince Lobanoff and the Marquis Yamagata, being duly authorised to that effect, have agreed to the following Articles:-

Art. I.-The Imperial Governments of Russia and Japan recognise definitely the Sovereignty and entire independence of Corea, and pledge themselves mutually to abstain from all direct interference in the internal affairs of that country.

Art. II.--Desiring to remove all possible cause of misunderstanding in the future, the Imperial Governments of Russia and Japan pledge themselves mutually, in the event of Corea having recourse to the advice and assistance either of Russia or of Japau, to take no measure in respect to the appointment of Military Instructors or Financial Advisers without arriving beforehand at a mutual agreement on this subject.

Art. III.-In view of the wide development taken by the commercial and industrial enterprise of Japan in Corea, as well as the large number of Japaneso subjects residing in that country, the Russian Government will not hinder in any way the development of commercial and industrial relations between Japan and Corca.

Done at Tokyo in duplicate the 13/25 April, 1898.

ROSEN.

NISSI.