A Century of Sino-Japanese Relations

Author: Zhang Lili / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features:
2. Colluding with the Qing Government to Suppress the Chinese Revolution
Upon learning of the outbreak of the revolution, the Qing Government was in a state of panic. On October 13, Yin Chang, the Minister of War in the Zongli Yamen under the Qing Dynasty, requested the Japanese Embassy in Beijing to provide weapons and ammunition to the Qing Government. At the time, Japan was led by Saionji Kinmochi, who held a detached attitude toward the Chinese Revolution. In addressing the issue of Manchuria (Northeast China), Saionji's approach was to support the Qing Government and hoped that the revolution would not lead to a republic in China. Therefore, in response to the Qing Government's request, the Japanese government agreed on October 16, conditional on the Qing Government improving its attitude toward Japan and respecting Japan's position in Manchuria. On October 23, the Japanese government instructed Taikoku, the Beijing branch of the Tahei Group, to sign a contract with the Qing Government's Ministry of War to purchase nearly 3 million yen worth of weapons (all war surplus from the Russo-Japanese War). Meanwhile, the Japanese government disregarded the "neutrality" of other imperialist powers and prepared to assist the Qing Government in suppressing the revolution. On October 11, the Japanese warship "Taisan" sailed to Hankou to "protect" Japanese citizens, and Kajishima Nobutaro, commander of the Japanese Third Fleet, was appointed as the commander of the fleets of foreign powers stationed in Hankou. Japan also sent warships into the Yangtze River to monitor the actions of the revolutionary forces and prevent them from occupying the Daye Iron Mine. On October 16, Japanese Foreign Minister Naito Konichika issued instructions to his Beijing envoy, Ito Hirokichi, stating that the Japanese government had decided to support the Qing Government in suppressing the revolution, even at the risk of provoking the "resentment" of the revolutionary forces. The instructions were as follows:
"The Imperial Government, recognizing that the Qing Government urgently needs firearms and ammunition to suppress the revolutionary forces, has decided to fully support the supply by Japanese merchants and take all necessary measures. The Imperial Government dares to take this great risk, motivated by its special goodwill toward the Qing Government. You should promptly take appropriate measures to ensure that the Qing Government and the Regent fully understand this intention and discard their past misunderstandings. The two countries should trust each other and work together to maintain the stability of East Asia."
And so on. From the above, it is clear that Japan was unwilling to see the revolution overthrow the corrupt rule of the Qing Dynasty from the beginning. Not only did it support the suppression of the revolution by supplying weapons and ammunition to the Qing Government, but it also rapidly increased its military deployment in China by sending warships to directly interfere with the Chinese Revolution. At the same time, by supporting the Qing Government, Japan demanded concessions in Manchuria, revealing its sinister intentions. P62-63