Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-24
CHIN A AND j JAP A N
What is Thought in Diplomatic Circles of
the Peace Negotiations.

The departure of the Chinese customs
chief for Japan undoubtedly has an i'm.
portant bearing on the relations between
those two nations. In diplomatic circles
here 1t is accepted as an indication of the
purpose Of the Chinese government to con
duct the negotiations for a peaceful settle
ment of the war issues through one of its
own agents rather than through the diplo.
matte representatives Of the United States
at Pekin and Toxic. This action is the i'm
mediate result of Japan's polite but positive
declination to consider terms of peace
through the mediation Of the United States
or any other country on the broad ground
that such overtures should properly ema-
nate directly from China as the country
most Immediately concerned. In other
words. it is practical acknowledgment by
China of the strength OF the position as
sumed by Japan that the two countries
must settle their troubles by mutual agree
ment and without assistance from the out
side. , a.. = -
What China Sought to Avoid.
China endeavored to avoid the humilia-
ton Of suing directly for peace, and sought
to enlist in her behalf the cooperation of
her powerful friend, Great Britain, and
through her secure the good offices of the
United States in bringing about a cessa-
ton OF hostilities on terms that might be
less burdensome when negotiated through
tilc dStuCy Ol d mutual Indn IL
made directly with her conqueror. Presi-
dent Cleveland. Needless of the traditional
policy OF the United States In steering
clear OF all foreign entanglements, gave
favorable consideration to the application
OF China, and made overtures to the Japan
ese government for a mediation of the
differences between the two countries.
Japan virtually informed him that it was
none OF his affair and that he had better
mind his own business"
In commune atinR this reply the Janapesa
minister of foreign affairs employed the
choicest of diplomatic language and made
1t appear as though Japan was highly graft
fed and pleased at the deep interest her
great and good friend" the President OF
the United States, had shown in her af-
fairs. Although sugar-coated. 1t was a
bitter pill. but 1t had to be swallowed in
all its nauseousness. The representative
OF the japanese emperor added naively,
however, that in case 1t was found expe-
dent, his gracious majesty would avail
himself Of the services of the United States
ministers to China and Japan In expedfting
the conclusion OF peace negotiations with
China. 80,
May Have n Slight share.
1t is, therefore, not altogether improb-
able that the United States government
may have q share, not very important, Ier-
haps in the settlement of the war in the
east.
Ministers DENLY and Dunn have been in
structed to render whatever services may
be required cf them in that direction, and
it is possible that the emissary of China,
now en- route to Japan, may make his head
quarters at the American legation at To-
kio, and also may find 1t advantageous to
accept his good Offices in transacting the
business that takes him to the Japanese
capital. The selection of a high customs
official for this important mission is ac-
counted for by some diplomats on the
theory that the customs service will play
a leading part in the matter OF indemnity.
One of Japan's contentious is that an
agreement as to an indemnity must be
coupled with conditions that would insure
its payment through the transfer of the
revenues at one Of the principal Chinese
ports.