Convention of Armistice
His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
having, in view of the untoward event which temporarily interrupted the depending
negotiations for peace, commanded His Plenipotentiaries to consent to a temporary
Armistice, the undersigned, Count ITO HIROBUMI, Junii, Grand
Cross of the Imperial Order of Paullownia, Minister President of State; and Viscount MUTSU
MUNEMITSU, Junii, First Class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure,
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Plenipotentiaries of His Majesty the Emperor of
Japan, and LI HUNG-CHANG, Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the
Emperor of China, Senior Tutor to the Heir Apparent, Senior Grand Secretary of State,
Minister Superintendent of Trade for the Northern Ports of China, Viceroy of the province
of Chili, and Earl of the First Rank, have concluded the following Convention of
Armistice:—
Article 1
The Imperial Governments of Japan and
China agree to enforce an Armistice between their respective military and naval forces, in
the provinces of Fęngtien, Chihli, and Shantung subject to the provisions contained in
the following Articles.
Article 2
The forces affected by this Armistice
shall have the right to maintain the positions respectively occupied by them at the time
hostilities are instantly suspended, but they shall not under any circumstances during the
existence of this Armistice advance beyond such positions.
Article 3
The two Governments engage during the
existence of this Convention not to extend, perfect, or advance their attacking works, or
to reinforce or in anywise to strengthen, either for offensive or defensive operations,
their confronting military lines. But this engagement shall not prevent either Government
from making any new distribution or arrangement of troops not intended to augment or
strengthen the armies now actually in the field and engaged in active military operations.
Article 4
The movement of troops and the
transportation of military supplies and all other contraband of war by sea shall be
subject to the ordinary rules of war, and shall consequently be liable to hostile capture.
Article 5
This Armistice shall be enforced by the
Imperial Governments of Japan and China for the period of 21 days from the date of the
signature of this Convention.
In those localities occupied by the troops of the two Governments to
which there is no telegraphic communication, the quickest possible means shall be employed
in issuing the orders for the Armistice, and the respective Commanders of the two
countries shall, upon receipt of such orders, announce the fact to each other and take
steps to enforce the Armistice.
Article 6
This Armistice shall terminate, without
notice on either side, at mid-day on the 20th day of the 4th month of the 28th year of MEIJI,
corresponding to the 26th day of the 3rd month of the 21st year of KUANG HSÜ.
If in the meantime the depending negotiations for peace are broken off, this Armistice
shall in that case terminate at the same time such negotiations cease.
In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries of Japan and China
have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals.
Done in Shimonoseki, Japan, this 30th day of the 3rd month of the 28th
year of MEIJI, corresponding to the 5th day of the 3rd month of the 21st
year of KUANG HSÜ.
Count ITO HIROBUMI,
[L.S.]
Junii, Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of Paullownia
Minister President of State
Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
Viscount MUTSU MUNEMITSU,
[L.S.]
Junii, First Class of the Imperial Order of the Sacred Treasure
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan
LI HUNG-CHANG,
[L.S.]
Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of China
Senior Tutor to the Heir Apparent
Senior Grand Secretary of State
Minister Superintendent of Trade for the Northern Ports of China
Viceroy of the province of Chili
Earl of the First Rank
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