Kung in 1884 had been taking a
more and more prominent part in public affairs.

1885-1894.

From 1885 to 1894 the political history of China does not call for
extended notice. Two incidents, however, must be recorded, (1) the
conclusion in 1886 of a convention with Great Britain, in which the
Chinese government undertook to recognize British sovereignty in Burma,
and (2) the temporary occupation of Port Hamilton by the British fleet
(May 1885-February 1887). In 1890 Admiral Lang resigned his command of
the Chinese fleet. During a temporary absence of Lang's colleague,
Admiral Ting, the Chinese second in command, claimed the right to take
charge--a claim which Admiral Lang naturally resented. The question was
referred to Li Hung-Chang, who decided against Lang, whereupon the
latter threw up his commission. From this point the fleet on which so
much depended began to deteriorate. Superior officers again began to
steal the men's pays, the ships were starved, shells filled with
charcoal instead of powder were supplied, accounts were cooked, and all
the corruption and malfeasance that were rampant in the army crept back
into the navy.

War with Japan, 1894.

European intervention.

The year 1894 witnessed the outbreak of the war with Japan. In the
spring, complications again arose with Japan over Korea, and hostilities
began in July. The story of the war is told elsewhere (see
CHINO-JAPANESE WAR), and it is unnecessary here to recount the details
of the decisive victory of Japan. A new power had arisen in the Far
East, and when peace was signed by Li Hung-Chang at Shimonoseki on the
17th of April 1895 it meant the beginning of a new epoch. The terms
included the cession of Liao-tung peninsula, then in actual occupation
by the Japanese troops, the cession of Formosa, an indemnity of H. taels
200,000,000 (about L30,000,000) and various commercial privileges.

The signature of this treaty brought the European powers on the scene.
It had been for some time the avowed ambition of Russia to obtain an
ice-free port as an outlet to her Siberian possessions--an ambition
which was considered by British statesmen as not unreasonable. It did
not, therefore, at all suit her purposes to see the rising power of
Japan commanding the whole of the coast-line of Korea. Accordingly in
the interval between the signature and the ratification of the treaty,
invitations were addressed by Russia to the great powers to intervene
wi