The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-11-30
Americans May Act as Intermediates,
but China Must Send an Envoy
Direct to the MiNado.
OUR BLUNDERERS CRITICISED
JULIAN RALPH ON ACTS or THH
CLEVELAND ADMINISTRATION.
Gresham's Surrender OF japanese 70
RepIy-POrt Arthur Atrocities.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 29-Advices from
Yokohama report that Japan has refused
TO consider the proposals OF peace SUBJ
mitted by Mr.. DIFFERING in behalf OF China.
While the Japanese legation has received
no official confirmation of the report there
is a disposition to regard the information
as authentic. The tire has passed, the
Japanese say, when the differences existing
between the two nations can be settled by
the customs authorities as il il were
matter of mere business routine, and they
declare that if China really desires to
bring about peace through negotiations ii
must be done through a regularly aecred-
tied envoy from the Emperor OF China to
the Emperor OF Japan. In the meantime
the war must go on. The Japanese author
tiles here do not regard with favor the
reports of the interference OF the European
powers. Regarding a st. Petersburg dis
patch quoting the Novoe vremya as de-
claring ''that the irreconcilable attitude of
Japan in refusing China's peace proposals
renders it incumbent upon the powers to
demand explanations in regard to Japan's
ultimate objects" The Japanese officials
here say that while they recognize that
the Novoe vremya may speak from author
ity on account of its relations with ths
Russian crown. its assumption that Japan
has refused peace proposals is without
foundation. They also assert that no
iigures have been fixed as to the amount
of indemnity which Japan is willing to ac-
cept. There are matters of detail which
the japanese officials in this city say
can only be arranged when China
comes to realize that there is but one way
to treat with Japan, and that is by direct
so far Japan has done nothing which would
justify the interference of the foreign pow
ers. and intimate that it will be time
enough for their interruption when Japan
shall really make some demand that will
not be reasonable. This characterization
applies only to the European powers There
is no disposition to scout the proposition OF
the United States to mediate. On the con-
trary, ii is suggested at the legation that
it would be entirely satisfactory TO have
the preliminaries of any peace negotiations
conducted by the American ministers 10
Japan and China, because they are in
formed to the situation, and il is be-
lieved that they would be unbiased and i'm
partial. With the negotiations once under
way, they Insist. however, that details
must be left TO be arranged by direct con-
ference between the personal representa-
tives of the Chinese ruler and the Japanse
Foreign Minister.
None of the officials in Washington who
have been interested in bringing about
peace between China and Japan are at all
surprised at the refusal OF Japan to en-
tertain any proposals coming from Mr..
DIFFERING. This official is Commissioner OF
Maritime Customs at Tien-Tsin, and his
immediate superior is an English baronet,
Sir Robert Hart. The latter is an ex-
tensive landed proprietor In Ireland. He
was in the British consular service at
Peking, and was then given charge of
China's customs service. He organized this
on civil service lines, employing foreigners,
mainly Englshmen, to do it. At the time
Queen Victoria celebrated the Jubilee an
niversary' of the fiftieth year Of her reign
Hart was made baronet in recognition
Of his conspicuous service for China. The
rank was of such a character that il does
not expire, usually is the case, with
Sir Jonas, but is family title. He is still
at the head Of the Chinese customs service,
Herr DIFFERING being one Of the foreigners
under him. That an attempu should have
been made to cause these two foreigners to
be the medium Of China's negotiations is
regarded unusual, in view of Japan's
suggestion that China must make her offer
directly through the American ministers.