New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-28
J. W. FOSTER GOES TO JAPAN.
THE EX-sECRETARY OF STATE TO AID
THE CHINESE PLENIPOTENTIARIEs.

JAPANESE MINISTER At WASHINGTON
BELIEF THAT IT MEANS THAT CHINA
rXrECTs TO GAIN FAIRLY
FAVORABLE TERMS
Washington Dee 27.-Ths important an
o,uncement was made to the United Press to-
night BY John ". Foster. cx-Secretary of State:
Mr. John w. Foster has been requested by the
CSJhnnjpoientiares of the former Government aid
fhem in their negotiations for peace lie has ac-
caDied the Invitation and expects TO leave Wash
inrton within a day or two sailing from Nancon,
yer for Yokohama on January I: unless Informed
of delay in the departure OF the pienlpo'eh-
tiaries The Japanese Government has been aq-
vised Of the appointment ana ITS Minister IN MS M
city has expressed his satisfaction with H. Mr.,
Foster desires 10 have II understood that ne goes
to japan purely in private eapaty as hns an au no
authority to represent or speak for the Govern
n,nt OF the United states
Mr. Foster said when pressed for further in
rormation that beyond the statement made he
had nothing to impart to the press. Mr.. Fos-
,er's statement was shown to Mr.. Yen Shing
Ho. Secretary Of the Chinese Legation. but he
refrained from expressing opinion on the
suhioct When a reporter called at the Japan
esa legation ii was announced that all the
members who talked English were spending the
evening out.
In official Circles when the announcement
became known. it was taken TO mean that from
now until the peace negotiations were formally
begun there would be a complete suspension of
all bostlities between the armies Of Japan
and China. PENDING the result of the conference
of the plenpotentiaries.
The fact that Mr.. Fosters appointment was
submitted to the japanese Government and ap-
proved by il indicates that peace overtures, as
exclusively announced in the United Press at
the time were begun simultaneously with MI
Sf,.r's
Government. While the announcement Is made
that the japanese Minister here approves 'hc
appointment /, is recognized in diplomatic cir
cles to mean that the Minister voices the opin-
ion Of his Government at home. ana that the
matter has been the subject Of cable corre-
spondcnce.
MIR. Foster has had an extended diplomatic
career. having. in addition t. being secretary "l
state in President Harrisons Cabinet. repre-
sented the United States at the Court OF spain
and more recently having been the agent OF The
United States in the Behring Sea arbitration
at Paris ,
ment will be TO delay the beginning OF the
peace negotiations State Department oilcials
had been confident from Minister Denny nls-
matches that Tho Chinese representatives. Chln
Yen Huan and Shao. were already on thelr way
IL Japan: and il was their understanding thdt
the formalties for peace would be conci9 a.; as
rapidlv as possible with due allowance Tor Crl-
entail delheratencss the preliminarles haNlnS
been practically arranged in advance through
the good Offices of Ministers DUN ana De"p9. .
Mr. Fosters mission. however. IL taken as an
Indication that the Chinese expect to gam more
favorable terms from Japan than have hitherto
been considered at all probable ntll TO-DAY
no one has doubted that Japans ultimate terms
had been made definitely known TO China ana
that that country powerless to effect any iur-
ther resistance to Japans arms had fully con-
ecn.ed to accept the ultmatum without delay.
IS Mr. Foster does not intend to sail FOR more
than a week and the voyage across the fa-
cifc will consume two weeks more. nearly
month must elapse before the peace negotia-
tions are fairly begun.