Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-21
Japan's Answer to Our Offer to
Mediate.
DECLINED WITH POLITE THANKS
Direct Chinese Proposition Through
Minister Dun Suggested.
T II E ST A T E P A p r S

The statements repeatedly made in The
Star that Japan would not consider an
offer of mediation that did not come direct
from China have been verified by cable
advices received by Secretary Gresham
from Mr.. Dun, the United States minister
to Toxic.
The Japanese legation at Washington has
also received from the foreign Office in
Japan a cable stating that the reply had
been made and giving its terms. Both ca
bles were received here SUNDAY afternoon.
The fact that they had been sent first be-
| came known through a dispatch to the AS
ISOLATED Press from TOXIC. This much hav-
ing become known the officials here make
no further concealnient of the details of
the reply.
The cable to Secretary Gresham Is ac-
companied by unusual dignity and formal
ity. in having the imperial sanction of his
majesty the Emperor of japan. 1t is rare
ly that the emperor speaks in diplomatic
negotiations, so that his action in this
is evidence of Japan's desire 20 express its
appreciation of the course of the United
States. The message is i'll two parts, the
first giving the imperial expression of good
will and saying that the success of Japan
ese arms had been such that China should
approach Japan directly. The second part
Is more directly from Minister Dun, and
expresses the view of the Japanese foreign
office that as China has no minister at
Toxic to submit a direct proposition it
could be made by China through Minister
Dun.
The Diplomatic Moves.
The cable to Minister Kurno is sub
stantially the same as the foregoing. The
fact that the replies were received Sunday
and were not given publicity until now is
in part explained by the fact that they
We're in cipher and were of such length
and Importance that casual summary
OF them was not deemed advisable. -..s..
The replies We're decided at special
meeting of the Japanese cabinet on Satur-
day, ard were sent from Toxic Saturday
night, but the transmission delayed them
until Sunday.
The tone Of the reply and the expressions
of imperial good will are said TO give salts
faction TO the officials here, and now that
the facts are known no further reserve is
maintained as to the terms OF the negotia-
tions, which have hitherto been withheld.
1t appears that at the outset Secretary
Gresham consulted Minister Kurno,
there was no desire to take action which
would be otherwise than agreeable to
Japan. At a conference between the Sec
retary and the minister, at which Secre-
tary Carlisle was present the entire pur-
pose of this country was made clear. This
Was before Mr.. Gresham had sent the
message to Japan suggesting American
mediation. 1t was made clear that Pres
ident Cleveland had no desire to mediate
the trouble, but on the contrary felt that
the exercise of the good offices of the United
States might entail a serious burden and
responsibility, and possibly excite ultimate
feeling by one party or the other. Under
these circumstances no action would be
taken If Japan felt 1t would create an awk-
ward situation. Particular stress was laid
on the fact that Japan would be entirely
free to act she saw fit; that there
no pressure to nave her accept American
mediation and that the entire proceeding
was due to the belief that this country was
in a position to render service to both
belligerents. These sentiments We're cor
daily reciprocated by Minister Kurino, so
that Mr.. Gresham had the cooperation of
the Japanese minister before the message
was transmitted to japan through Minister
co-operated with the Secretary, and the
kindly reply, with imperial sanction, is
the result. r..
Minister Dun as intermediary.
A new and important situation is now
presented by Japan's proposition that China
make a direct offer through United States
Minister Dun at Toxic. This makes Mr..
Dun 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
submitting an offer. This is not anticipat-
ed, however. 1t Is said that the usual
course would be for the State Department
to notify Mr.. Dun and also Minister DENLY
at Peking that they were at liberty to
transmit from China to Japan such direct
peace overtureS the former desired to
make. 1t would then be for Cnina to for
mulate it's offer to Minister DENLY. He, In
turn, would transmit 1t to Minister Dun as
Chiua's direct offer and not as an interme-
diary offer through the United States. The
State Department undoubtedly would be
apprised of the action of Messrs. DENLY
and Dun but would not be the channel of
| their communication, as it is the basis of
JapanS new proposition that the offer
come direct from China and not through
the mediation of the United States. The
reply Of Japan is so conciliatory and re-
ceptive that it is pointed out that Minister
Duns skill a diplomat has scope for
conspicuous service in terminating the war.
Other Powers Eliminated.
The action of European powers on the
new phase of the question is now awaited
with much interest. Japans suggestion
that Minister Dun will be an acceptable
| medium Of communication from China In
effect eliminates Great Britain, France and
the other powers from being a factor in
the negotiations. 1t is believed, however.
from official information received here that
Russia, Italy and Germany will certainly
look with favor on China's dealing through
Minister Dun. The SAME sources indicate
that Austria probably will give her adj
herence as her membership in the triple
|
to that of Germany and Italy. The posi-
ton of Germany has been so closely anal
ogous to that of the United States that it
has been a question of doubt within the
last few days whether Germany might not
be substituted for the United States in
the Cffer of mediation. AS there is to be
ro mediation Germany's position still re-
mains favorable to an adjustment along
the lres suggested by Japan. Italy has
already notified the allied powers that
she cannot consent to forcible intervention,
which is equitable to a declaration in favor
Of a peaceable settlement, such would
come through China's offer to Minister
Dun. 1t can also be stated positively that
Great Britain has favored the recent offer
of mediation by the United States on the
grounds that it is presumed 1T would save
China from utter destruction and thus pre-
serve the British trade with China. Under
these circumstances it is believed by Of
ficials and diplomats who are familiar with
all the correspondence that the European
powers cannot, with propriety, interfere
with any offer which China wishes to make
directly through United States Minister
Dun.