. It soon became apparent that so far from
co-operating in these reforms, which were an essential part of the
Li-Ito agreement, China intended to make them impossible. The
Government at Tokio came to a momentous decision.

In 1894 an outbreak more serious than usual occurred, known as the
"Tong-Hak Rebellion." Li Hung Chang promptly sent an army from
Tien-tsin for its suppression, another from Japan coming simultaneously.

But the Japanese army poured into Chemulpo in such numbers and with a
perfection of equipment suggesting a purpose not mentioned in the
Li-Ito agreement! China's protest was met by open defiance, Japan
declaring that, as the convention of 1885 had been violated, she should
no longer recognize the sovereignty of China in Korea.

War was declared Aug. 1, 1894. The Mikado's Government was not
unprepared for this crisis. There were no surprises awaiting the army
of little men as they poured into Korea. They knew the measurements of
the rivers, the depth of the fords and every minutest detail of the
land they intended to invade. Their emissaries in disguise had also
been gauging the strength and the weakness of China from Thibet to the
sea. They knew her corruption, her crumbling defenses, her antique
arms and methods, the absence of all provision for the needs of an army
in the field.

With a bewildering suddenness and celerity the plan of the campaign
developed. First the control of Korea was secured, then the command of
the sea, then the Yalu was crossed; and while one division of the army
was pouring into Manchuria, threatening Niu-Chwang and beyond that
Mukden, a second division landed at Pitsewo, making a rapid descent
upon Port Arthur, the chief stronghold of China, which was captured by
assault Nov. 20, 1894.

Wei-Hai-Wei, the next strongly fortified point on the coast of China,
south of Port Arthur, of almost equal strategic value, was defended
with desperation by sea and by land. But in vain; and, with the
capitulation of Wei-Hai-Wei, Feb. 12, 1895, the war was ended.

With the "Sacred City" of Mukden threatened in the north, and Pekin in
the south, Japan could name her own terms as the price of peace. First
of all she demanded an acknowledgment of the independence of Korea.
Then that the island of Formosa and the Manchurian peninsula
(Liao-Tung), embracing a coast line from the Korean boundary to Port
Arthur, should belong to her.

A severe blow had been dealt to Russia. She