Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-11-22
TO SETTLE THE WAR.


Cleveland willing to Act as Arbitrator
Between china and Japan.
Toxic advices say that United States
Minister Dun has communicated to the
ministry the substance of an important
cipher cable proposition received from
Secretary Gresham ut Washington. 1t
suggests that if Japan will join China in
requesting the President of the United
States to act as mediator in settling the
war he will exercise his good offices in
that capacity. A similar proposition has
been sent 10 China. The cable was pre-
sented to a special meeting of the minis
try. The proposition presents grave
question to the ministry. They are urged
on one hand by the popular sentiment
to continue the war and crush China;
on the other hand European powers are
threatening to intervene. AS between
these conflicting influences the ministers
find great difficulty i'm reaching a de-
cision on the American proposition, but
the prospect is that it will be accepted.
1t is learned that four days before
France made n proposition to the United
States to intervene.
1t is the belief in Washington that
China will readily accept the mediation
of the United States, and Japan will do
so after she is assured of the indemnity
China will yield. China has already
| gone so far as to notify this government
| that it will join Japan in recognizing
] the complete independence of Corea,
which would result in the Japanese
| evacuation of Corea and the re-estab-
| lishment of the former reigning powers.
| China has also made known to this Gov
ernment that it was willing to pay n
/ cash indemnity to Japan. 1t has not
| stated how much the indemnity will be,
| and this promises TO be serious
| problem.
Japan does not intend to be robbed of
the fruits of her victory by any indefinite
arbitration Therefore she, in effect, asks:
What do you propose doing, and how
much will you give? IT you will offer
enough, then we will accept the United
| States as the intermediary to execute the
agreement. But we will not go into any
! blind arrangement by which third party
will determine the whole basis of
peace" Being a victor, Japan does not
| intend to go in ON even terms with the
! vanquished.
Mr.. Gresham's cable inquiries to China
| therefore contemplate, first, China's ac-
ceptance of the United States as a medi-
| ator; second, a statement of Chiua's ex-
| act offer TO Japan of the terms and
| amount of cash indemnity she will pay.
| AS TO the amount of cash it is not likely
that Japan will accept the mediation un-
less S1O0,00O,000 is offered. This will
| about represent what Japan has actually
spent on the war. She does not ask for
exemplary or punitive damages rs the
term is used in law, but merely the
damages which will reimburse her out
| lay. When France paid Germany an
| indemnity for the Franco-Prussian war
it represented not only what Germany had
| spent, but exemplary or punishment dam
| ages as well. Japan does not expect
| this, but she will insist on actual dam
| ages. This is roughly figured rs follows:
Japan had a reserve fund of $50 o,OOO,-
| 600 on hand when the war began.
| This has been spent. Then she nego-
tiated war loan of 50,OO0,000 yen q
yen being about equivalent to our dol
lar). This makes $75,O00,O00 actually
used in the war. Besides this japanese
citizens have contributed large sums.
The total outlay, including obligations in
Cured. is estimated at about 500, 0,0OO,-
600. The extra session of the japanese
Diet resulted in law authorizing a war
expenditure up to 10000, 900, but this
| limit has not been reached.