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 Chihli and earl
of the first rank, have concluded the following treaty of armistice:—
Art. 1. The Imperial governments of Japan and China agree to enforce
an armistice between their respective military and naval forces in the
provinces of Fêng-tien, Chihli and Shan-tung subject to the provisions
contained in the following articles:—
Art. 2. The forces affected by this armistice shall have the right
to maintain the positions respectively occupied by them at the time
hostilities are actually suspended, but they shall not under any
circumstances during the existence of this armistice advance beyond
such positions.
Art. 3. The two governments engage during the existence of this
treaty 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 line. 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.
Art. 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.
Art. 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 treaty.
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 the receipt of
such orders announce the fact to each other and take steps to enforce
the armistice.
Art. 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
Kwang-Hsu. If in the mean time 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 plenipotentiaries of Japan and China have
hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals.
Done at Shimonosiki, 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 Kwang-Hsu.
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 Chihli and earl of the first rank_.