The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-11-24
A GAME OF DIPLOMACY.

Uncle Sam Succeeding in the Effort to
Restore Peace in tho Orient.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.-The latest
China-Japan developments disclose an
interesting game of diplomacy. The
cable advices stating that the British
officials are delighted with the rebuff
sustained by the United States in
Japan's rejection of the mediation
causes much amusement among the
diplomats here who are familiar with
the facts.
While the British assertion that the
United States acted entirely alone in its
offer and without the cooperation OF
Great Britain is literally true, yet it is
known that her msjesty's government,
for trade and commercial reasons, heart
lily desired the success OF the movement,
for it was feared continuance of the
war might hurt British interests in the
east. The sentiment of British diplo.
mats on Japan's rejection Of our over
lures is, therefore, tempered by inan-
cial considerations.
From the outset OF the negotiations
Great Britain has shown the greatest
anxiety to have the war terminated and
the foreign Office has twice put in inter-
vention. The interest of Great Britain
in the matter was known to rest on no
sentimental ground, but because OF a
desire to preserve China, one of the
greatest commercial markets OF English
merchants. In official circles it was
understood that the British offer was at
the instance OF China. The United
States declined all overtures from Eng
land, but at the request of China made
the independent offer OF mediation.
The request coming from China. and be-.
ing in the interest of Great Britain's
policy OF preserving China, was known
to have the moral support OF her ma jes-
ty's government, even If it lacked the
open cooperation of the foreign Office
which would be unacceptable to this
government if it involved any entangling
allirnce. Since then China has bent
every effort to have the American prop
osition accepted, and owing to the rela-
tions between China and Great Britain,
it is not doubted that the latter country
has q desire to see the American propo-
eition accepted.
Any delight which the British officials
may express at Japan enubDing the
United States, is attributed but to per-
sonal reasons, and not to the failure Of
the object Great Britain has earnestly
sought.
The latest phase OF the controversy.
In the departure of China's minister of
customs for Japan to arrange terms of
peace. further assures the officials here
that China has embraced peace policy
along the lines openly proposed by the
United States and covertly deeired by
Great Britain. 1t is regarded as natural
that English diplomats should prefer
that their ultimate aim, peace, shoul d
be accomplished with az little distinc-
ton as possible for the United States as
mediator.
But there is another and very good
reason why any expression of delight a
the snubbing OF the United States is en-
tirely out of place at this point. State
department officials say that the United
States has not been snubbed at all. The
reply of the Japanese government 10
our overtures was extremely courteous
in expression and spirit, and it did not
by any means amount to a rejection. On
the contrary, it pointed out a way in
which the United States could assist in
restoring peace ii China should BIZ in
the proper frame of mind, that was by
authorizing cur ministers in Japan and