“I, Ting, commander-in-chief of the Pei-yang squadron,
acknowledge having previously received a letter from
Vice-Admiral Ito, commander of the port of Sasebo. This
letter I have not answered until to-day, owing to the
hostilities going on between our fleets. It had been
my intention to continue fighting until every one of
my men-of-war was sunk and the last sailor killed;
but I have reconsidered the matter and now request a
truce, hoping thereby to save many lives. I earnestly
beseech you to refrain from doing further hurt to the
Chinese and Westerners serving in the army and navy of
China, as well as to the townspeople of Wei-hai-wei;
in return for which I offer to surrender to the empire
of Japan all my men-of-war, the forts on Liu-kung-tau
and all material of war in and about Wei-hai-wei. If
Vice-Admiral Ito will accede to these terms, I desire
to have the commander-in-chief of the British warships
in the offing as a guarantor of the contract. Requesting
an answer to this by to-morrow, I have the honour to
remain, etc.
_Signed_: ADMIRAL TING.
18th day, 1st month, 21st year of Kwangshu
(12th Feb. 1895).”
“I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your
esteemed favour, and to accept the proposal therein
contained. Accordingly I shall take over all the
men-of-war, the forts and all warlike material from
your hands. As to the time when the surrender is to
take place, I will consult you again on receiving
your reply to this. My idea is, after taking over
everything, to escort you and the others referred to in
your letter on board one of our warships to some safe
place where your convenience may be suited. If I may
be permitted to speak quite frankly, I advise you for
your own and your country’s sake to remain in Japan
until the war is over. Should you decide to come to my
country you may rest assured that you will be treated
with distinguished consideration. But if you desire to
return to your native land I shall of course put no
obstacle in your path. As for any British guarantee, I
think it quite unnecessary, and trust in your honour as
an officer and a gallant man. Requesting your reply to
this by 10 a.m. to-morrow, I have the honour to remain,
etc.
_Signed_: ADMIRAL ITO.
_12th February, 1895._”
“I am delighted to learn that you are in the enjoyment
of good health. I thank you heartily for your kind
reply, and the assurance that the lives of those under
me will be spared. You have kindly forwarded me certain
gifts, but while I thank you I cannot accept them, our
two nations being at war. You write that you desire me
to surrender everything into your hands to-morrow. This
gives too short a period in which to make the necessary
preparations, and I fear that the troops will not be
able to evacuate the place by the time specified. I
therefore pray you to wait until the 22nd day of the
1st month (Chinese calendar), February 16th. You need
not fear that I shall go back from my word.
_Signed_: ADMIRAL TING.
_18th day, 1st month (12th February)._”
“HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY’S SHIP MATSUSHIMA,
_February 13th, 1895_.
“To the officers representing the Chinese fleet at
Wei-hai-wei.
“I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the letter of
Admiral Ting dated the 18th of January of the Chinese
year. The report of the death of Admiral Ting last
night, communicated verbally by the messenger who
brought over the said letter, I received with great
personal regret.
“As to postponing taking over the vessels, forts and
other materials of war until the 22nd of January of
the Chinese year, I am ready to comply with it under
a certain condition. This condition is that some
responsible Chinese officer should come over to this
our flagship Matsushima before 6 o’clock p.m. this day,
the 13th of February according to the Japanese year,
and we will then make certain arrangements, which have
to be definitely fixed, regarding the taking over of the
said vessels, forts and other materials of war, as well
as the escorting of the Chinese and foreign officers
and men out of Wei-hai-wei. In my last letter to the
lamented Admiral Ting I stated that as to the hour
and other minor conditions I should be glad to make
arrangements with him on the morrow; so as he is now
dead, these minor conditions have to be arranged with
some one who can deal with us in his stead.
“It is my express wish that the said officer who is to
come to this our flagship for the above purpose be a
Chinese, not a foreign officer, and be it understood
that I am willing to receive him with honour.
J. K. ITO,
_Vice-Admiral_,
_Commander-in-Chief_.”