722 Chapter 6
200 UNITED KINGDOM/710 CHINAMID#220
Started in July 1870. See the narrative in the 220 France/710 China dyad dis-
pute list.
MID#309
Dispute Number: 309
Date(s): March 26, 1898 to July 1, 1898
Participants: 200 United Kingdom/710 China
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute concerns the British attempt to secure a lease of Wei-
haiwei at the expense of the Chinese. Following a war between Japan and China,
Japan actually occupied the Chinese city but was making plans to evacuate Weihai-
wei in 1898. Britain asked the Japanese what would be necessary to obtain the city
on a lease as others had done in China before (see MID#043). Japan, however, was
initially reluctant to cede the territory to Britain. It was making plans with Russia
to transfer the territory back to China, as planned in the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
This made the British uneasy, since further Russian gains in China would upset
the balance of power.
Upon Japan’s realization of increasing Russian expansion into East Asia and
possibly a future conflict between Russia and Japan (which happened in 1905),
Japan agreed that British occupation of Weihaiwei would be an agreeable course of
action. By the end of March 1898, Japan made plans for an immediate installation
of British troops in Weihaiwei upon the evacuation of the Japanese. The British, by
another telegram sent around the same time, was able to secure the implicit support
of the Germans. After these moves, the British looked for a fait accompli on the
matter as concerned the Chinese.
When China was reluctant to respond to the British demand placed on Wei-
haiwei, Britain responded that any delay was an implicit seal of approval for the
British occupation of Weihaiwei. China responded with an ultimatum amidst the
naval threat of the British.
China relented to the occupation of Weihaiwei, provided Britain acknowledge:
(1) the lease for Weihaiwei be on terms similar to the Russian occupation of Liao-
tung, (2) Chinese vessels would be allowed in Weihaiwei, and (3) that no further ter-
ritorial demands in China were necessary, even if other powers obtained more territory
in China as a result of the Weihaiwei lease. Britain balked at the third stipulation since
it violated the understanding of the balance of power. China ultimately relented on
April 2, 1898, dropping the third condition for the lease. The lease was concluded on
July 1.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from March 25, 1898. End Date changed
from April 1, 1898.