CORÉE, JAPON

Traité de paix et d amitié signé le 27 février 1876.

Pari. Paper /1530J 1 87 6.

Traduction anglaise.

The Governments of Japan and Chôsen, being desirous to résume the amicable relations that of yore existed between them and to promote the friendly feelings of both nations to a still firmer basis, have for this purpose appointed their Plenipotentiaries , that is to say, the Government of Japan, Kuroda Knjotaka, High Commissioner Extraordinary to Chôsen, Lieutenant-General and Meniber of the Privy Council, Minister of the Colonization Department, and Inouye Ka-o-ru, Associate High Commissioner Extraordinary to Chôsen, Member of the Genrô-in; and the Government of Chôsen, Shinken Han-choo-soo Fu Ji, and Injishô , To-so-Fu, Fuku-sô- Kwan: who, according to the powers received from their respective Governments, have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles: —

Article I. Chôsen, being an independent State, enjoys the same sovereign rights as does Japan.

In order to prove the sincerity of the friendship existing between the two nations, their intercourse shall henceforward be carried on in terms of equality and courtesy, each avoiding the giving of offence by arrogation or manifestations of suspicion.

In the fîrst instance ail rules and précédents that are apt to obstruct friendly intercourse, shall be totally abrogated, and in their stead rules libéral and in gênerai usage fit to secure a firm and perpétuai peace shall be established.

Article II. The Government of Japan at any time fifteen months from the date of the signature of this Treaty, shall have the right to send an Envoy to the capital of Chôsen, where he shall be admitted to confer with the Rei-so-han-sho , on matters of a diplomatie nature. He may either réside at the Capital or return to his country on the completion of his mission.

The Government of Chôsen in like manner shall have the right to send an Envoy to Tokio, Japan, where he shall be admitted to confer with the Minister of Foreign AfPairs , on matters of a diplomatie nature.

Corée, Japon.

He may either réside at Tokio , or return home on the completion of his mission.

Article III. Ail officiai communications addressed by the Government of Japan to that of Chôsen shall be written in the Japanese language, and for a period of ten years from the présent date they shall be accompanied by a Chinese translation. The Government of Chôsen will use the Chinese language.

Article IV. Sôrio in Fusan, Chosen, where an officiai establishment of Japan is situated, is a place originally opened for commercial intercourse with Japan, and trade shall henceforward be carried on at that place in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty , whereby are abolished ail former usages, such as the practice of saikensen (junks annually sent to Chôsen by the late Prince of Tsusima to exchange a certain quantity of articles between each other).

In addition to the above place, the Government of Chôsen agrées to open two ports, as menti oned in Article V of this Treaty, for commercial întercourse with Japanese subjects.

In the foregoing places Japanese subjects shall be free to lease land and to erect buildings thereon, and to rent buildings, the property of subjects of Chôsen.

Article V. On the coast of five provinces, viz., KeikiD, Chiusei, Zenra, Keishô, and Kankiô, two ports, suitable for commercial purposes, shall be selected, and the time for opening thèse two ports shall be in the twentieth month from the second month of the ninth year of Meiji, corresponding with the date of Chôsen, the first moon of the year Heishi.

Article VI. Whenever Japanese vessels , either by stress of weather or by want of fuel and provisions , cannot reach one or the other of the open ports in Chôsen, they may enter any port or harbour either to take refuge therein, or to get supplies of wood, coal, and other necessities, or to make repairs; the expenses incurred thereby are to be defrayed by the ship's master. In such events both the officers and the people of the locality shall display their sympathy by rendering full assistance, and their liberality in supplying the necessities required.

If any vessel of either country be at any time wrecked or stranded on the coasts of Japan or of Chôsen , the people of the vicinity shall immediately use every exertion to rescue her crew, and shall inform the local authorities of the disaster, who will either send the wrecked persons to their native country or hand them over to the officer of their country residing at the nearest port.

Article VII. The coasts of Chôsen having hitherto been left unsurveyed are very dangerous for vessels approaching them, and in order to preapare charts showing the positions of islands, rocks, and reefs, as well as the depth ofthewater, whereby ail navigators may be enabled safely to pass between the two countries, any Japanese mariner may freely survey said coasts.

Article VIII. There shall be appointed by the Government of Japan an officer to réside at the open ports in Chôsen for the protection of Japanese merchants resorting there, providing that such arrangement be dee-

Traité de paix.

med necessary. Should any question interesting both nations arise the said officer shall confer with the local authorities of Chosen and settle it.

Article IX. Friendly relations having been established between the two eontracting parties, their respective subjects may freely carry on their business without any interférence from the officers of either Government, and neither limitation nor prohibition shall be made on trade.

In case any fraud be committed or payment of debt be refused by any merchant of either country, the officers of either one or of the other Government shall do their utmost to bring the delinquent to justice, and to enforce recovery of the debt.

Neither the Japanese nor the Chôsen Government shall be held responsible for the payment of such debt.

Article X. Should a Japanese subject residing at either of the open ports of Chôsen commit any offence against a subject of Chôsen, he shall be tried by the Japanese authorities.

Should a subject of Chôsen commit offence against a Japanese subject, he shall be tried by the authorities of Chôsen.

The offenders shall be punished according to the laws of their respective countries.

Justice shall be equitably and impartially administered on both sides.

Article XI. Friendly relations having been established between the two eontracting parties it îs necessary to prescribe trade régulations for the benefit of the merchants of the respective countries.

Such trade régulations, together with detailed provisions, to be added to the Articles of the présent Treaty, to develop its meaning and facilitate its observance, shall be agreed upon at the Capital of Chôsen or at the Kok'-wa-fu, in the said country, within six months from the présent date by Spécial Commissioners appointed by the two countries.

Article XII. The foregoing eleven Articles are binding from the date of the signing hereof and shall be observed by the two Contracting Parties , faithfully and invariably, whereby perpétuai friendships shall be secured to the two countries.

The présent Treaty is executed in duplicate, and copies will be exchanged between the two Contracting Parties.

In faith whereof, we, the respective Plénipotentiaires of Japan and Chôsen , have affixed our seals hereunto this twenty-sixth day of the second month of the ninth year of Meiji, and the two thousand five hundred and thirty-sixth since the accession of Zimmu Tenno, and in the era of Chôsen, the second day of the second moon of the year Heishi, and of the founding of Chôsen the four hundred and eighty-fifth.

Kuroda Kujotaka , High Commissioner Extraordinary to Chosen, Lieu tenant- General and Member of the Privy Council, Minister of the Colonization Department.

Inouye Kaoru, Associate High Commissioner Extraordinary to Chosen, Member of the Genroin.

Shin Ken, Dai-Kwan, Han-Choo-Soo-Fuji of Chosen.

In-Ji-Shio, Fuku-Kwan, Tosofu, Fuku-Sokwan of Chosen.

Corée, Japon.