甲午战争时期英日地位的变换

The Change of Position Between England and Japan During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 - 1895

甲午战争是远东国际关系松动的开始。战前，英国在华有极大势力，面对俄日在东亚的激烈争夺，选择日本为防俄体系的伙伴，以调停为名频示好感，取消一些对日不平等条款，并对其越轨行为视而不见；日本刚在日英条约中出让主权，示好英国。战争过程中，英日借口中立为日英不法行为进行辩护。战后，英国为防日本成为远东新对手，对三国干涉还辽采取默许态度，迫使日本屈服。该战间接地使英国实现了利用新盟友打击老对手的外交目的，但付出了退出东亚的代价；而日本则利用大国矛盾，竭力壮大自身，改变了国际关系格局：远东英国殖民时代结束，日本成为东亚主角。

The Sino-Japanese War of 1894 - 1895 was the beginning of the loosening of international relationship in the Far East. Because of the intense situation in China, England, confronted with Russian scramble, had to choose Japan as its partner against Russia by means of cancelling unfair articles against Japan and pretending not to notice its offensive manner so as to show its favor for Japan in the name of mediation. At the same time, Japan gave up some rights in favor of England. During the war, England showed partiality for Japan by pleading neutrality. After the war, in order to prevent Japan from becoming a new opponent in the Far East, England tacitly consented to the three-state compulsion of Japan returning Liaodong Island to China to force Japan to yield. This war enabled England to realize its diplomatic purpose of utilizing new allies to fight against its old opponents, but at the cost of withdrawing from East Asia. However, Japan promoted a new situation in international relationship in the Far East by taking advantage of the contradictions between the great powers to strengthen itself. The war put an end to the Era of England, and Japan became a dominant role.