Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-14
U N S o. LIGHTED AID
Position of This Country in the Chinese
Japanese Peace Negotiations
The Kindly Offices of the United States
Not Specially Desired by Japan
-Chinn's Position.

At iCdSt Dccl H. ihuCCu, IL IDS
not committed a grave diplomatic blunder
in Its negotiations for The settlement OF
the war between China and Japan. This
government is On the friendliest footing
with both nations. and il generally sup
posed to nave no preference for either, as
G gainst the other.
1t certainly has no special interest in the
issue of their present contention. Yet,
without any solicitation on the part OF
one and without direct solicitation on the
part OF the other, il has undertaken to
Il 'terrupt the progress OF their military
operations by an offer to mediate. And
what aggravates the case, it has been
led to this course of action at the instance
of European nations having a direct in
terest in the matter.
England, France, Germany and Russia
are vitality concerned in the matter. but the
interests of the United States are not like
ly to be affected BY the result of the war
enc way or the other.This country occupies
the position of an entirely neutral spec Ia
tor. japanese victories affect us no more
than would similar vic tories by the Chinese
hosts.
Interference Not Called For.
The two countries are at war and must
abide by the result:
While there may be reasons why the
European nations should interfere, it is
said there are none that have been adj
vanced so far that justify the United
States in indicating that the contest has
gone far enough and that the time has
come for cessation of hostlities.
Japan has been uniformly victorious In
her engagements with the celestfais and
has attained a supremacy that practically
enables her to dictate terms to her ad-
versary.
The question has arisen as to the right Of
the United States. an entirely disinterested
{ country, to intimate that Japan shall go
no further in her conquests or that she
shall be placed upon an equal footing with
her fallen opponent in an effort at arbitra-
ton.
AS a diplomat put 1t today: IF China
acknowledges her defeat, let her sue Tor
peace, not, however, with foreign coun-
triec but with her conqueror. Japan did
not enter upon this war for principle
merely. She wanted to teach her old-time
enemy lesson, and she has done do. The
achievement has been expensive, and she
naturally does not like to be deprived of
the fruits OF her victory because of the
philanthropic sentiments of a disinterested
outsider"
There is no question of Japan's prefer
ence for the United States as an arbitrator
China over all the other governments Of
the world, but there is a grave question
as to whether the time has yet arrived for
the submission of the case to an outsider.
terms she can get, and she has the ben
eft of the powerful cooperation of Great
Britain. Japan is not averse to peace, but
she does not want to suffer for it.
Japan's Position.
She has beaten China at every point, and
has no reason to doubt a continuation Of
triumphs. 1t is understood that she takes
the position that overtures for peace should
be made by China to her and not to Great
Britain, the United States or any other
nation. 1t is contended that the prospects
Justify this position and explain why she
has shown no readiness to accept the I'M
solicited offer of the United States TO
mediate the existing differences.
Japan HIS already enforced her conten-
ton so far as Corea Is concerned, and does
not ask any concessions from CHINA on
that point. She has captured considerable
Chinese territory, and is in position to
hold 1t and add considerably to it, and
consequently would hardly be content to
surrender 1t for the mere reimbursement
of the cost of taking 1t.
-r Why Japan Hesitates.
These considerations explain to the sat
isfao ticn of many people why Japan has
shown a decided Discrimination to accept
the voluntary tender of President Cleve-
lands good Offices I'm making terms for a
settlement of the differences between the
hostile countries. 1t is to China's interest
to terminate the war now. hut 1t is to the
interest of Japan to prosecute 1t till 1t
has reached a stage where 1T can enforce
terms may be agreed upon.
Japan has always had friendly leaning
toward the United States, but has never
wholly forgiven Secretary Gresham for
his entirely gratuitous criticism Of Its
policy toward Corea at the outbreak of the
present war.
His remarks at that time about Japan's
attack oII weak and defenselesS neigh
Dor have ranked, notwiths landing subse-
quent corcilia,ions, and have had their
effect in most deliberate consideration
Of his voluntary offer to mediate in the
present crisis.
The Chinese Conditions.
The Chinese tenders so far have been on
a basis that could not be accepted with
safety and consistency by japan. For in
stance, a Chinese proposition was that
Corea be evacuated by both Chinese and
Japanese troops. Inasmuch as the prin-
cipal cause of the war was Japan's con-
tention that the entire Corean administra-
tive and financial system must be reformed
on modern lines and that Japan must
undertake the task, a temporary occupa-
ton of the country, at least, by Japan was
q necessary condition.
Another condition that the japanese
troops evacuate China Immediately would
also violate all precedent, for 1t is custom
airy in such cases for the victorious nation
to retain possession of the captured terri
tory. as pledge, until the payment of the
war indemnity.
After the Franco-Prussian war the Ger
man forces thus held Relfort and other
French fortresses until the enormous war
indemnity of $1,000, OOO,O 900 had been paid to
Germany.
What They Want.
An official who has given much atten-
ton to the subject is of the opinion that
Russia will never consent to anything that
looks like an indefinite occupation of
Corea by Japan, as Great Britain occupies
Egypt, unless she is herself allowed to
take possession of a port in Corea for the
eastern terminus of the Siberian railway
France is reported to have demanded a
coaling station on the Island of Formosa
and Great Britain has reached out for the
Island OF ChuSan.