The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1894-11-22
DIPLOMATIC JAPAN.
Offer of Mediation by the United
States Is Finally Formally
Declined.
STATE OFFICIALS PLEASED
At the Very Nice Manner in Which
It Was DOne---Details Of the
Incident.


partment has received cable reply
from Japan, through Minister Dunn, at
Toxic, to the United States suggestion
of mediation. The Japanese legation
at Washington has also received from
the foreign office in Japan cable stat.
ing that the reply had been made and
giving its terms. Both were received
here Sunday afternoon. The fact that
they had been sent first became known
through dispatch to the Associated
Press from Toxic. This much having
become known, the officials here make
no further concealment Of the details
Of the reply.
Unusual DiglAy.
The cable to Secretary Gresham is
accompanied by unusual dignity and
formality, in having the imperial sane
ton of his majesty, the emperor of
japan. It is rarely that the emperor
speaks in diplomatic negotiations, so
that his action in this case is evidence
of Japan's desire to express it's appre-
citation of the course Of the United
States. The message is in two parts,
the first giving imperial expressions of
good will, and saying that the success
Of the Japanese arms had been such
that China should approach Japan
directly. The second part is more di-
rectly from Minister Dunn, and ex-
presses the view Of the Japanese foreign
Office as that China has no minister at
Toxic to submit direct proposition, it
could be made by China through Min
lister Dunn.
The Reply Appreciated.
The replies were decided on at spe-
cial meeting of the Japanese cabinet on
Saturday and were sent from Toxic
Saturday night. but the transmission
delayed them until Sunday. The tone
of the reply and the expressions of i'm
perial good will give much satisfaction
to the officials here, and now that the
facts are known, no further reserve is
maintained as to the germs of the nego-
tiations which have hitherto been with.
held.
It appears that at the outset Secretary
Gresham consulted Minister Kurino, as
there was no desire to take action which
would be otherwise than agreeable to
Japan. At conference between the
secretary and the minister, at which
Secretary Carlisle was present, the ell
tire purpose of this country was made
clear. This was before Minister Ores
ham had sent the message to Japan
suggesting American mediation. 1t
was made clear that President Cleve-
land had
No Desire to Mediate the Trouble.
but on the contrary felt that the exer-
else Of the good Offices of the United
States might entail a serious burden
and responsibility and possibly might
excite ultimate feeling by one party or
the other. Under these circumstances
no action would be taken if Japan
thought it would create an awkward
situation. Particular stress was laid
upon the fact that Japan would be en-
tirely free to act as she saw fit; that
there was no pressure to have her &C.
cept American mediation, and that the
entire proceeding was due to the belief
that this country was in position to
render a service to both belligerents.
The sentiments were cordially recipro-
Gated by Minister Kurino, so that Sec
rotary Gresham had the cooperation of
the Japanese minister before the mes
sage was transmitted to Japan through
Minister Dunn. Since then the minis.
ter has further co-operated with the
secretary, and the kindly reply with
sanction was the result.
Minister Dunn Becomes Important.
A new and important situation is
now presented by Japan's proposition
that China make direct offer through
United States Minister Dunn at Toxic.
This makes Mr.. Dnnn the interesting
center of negotiations from this time
forward, unless the United States
should decline to allow him to act as the
direct representative of China in sub
hitting an offer. This is not antici.
pated, however.