Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-11-14
REFUSED TO NEEDLE.
Great Britain's EndeaVorS to Get the
United States to Join in Fore
ign intervention

TIE ldSG lew udyS Ill WHICH ODlcldlS anu
diplomats of Washington have participate
ed lead them to believe that peace be-
tween China and Japan will be concluded
ut an early day. China has at last reluct-
antly but fully admitted that she has
found herself wholly unprepared for war.
Japan, on the other hand. smllingly ac-
ceptS this acknowledgment of her prog
ress and awaits a detailed proposition as
to how much China will concede as a
basis of peace. 1t remains to be seen
whether Japan will demand 700 much or
China will yield too little, but the in
clination of both powers is strongly to-
ward getting together that it is believed
that peace will be effected on the basis
of Corea's independence and cash in
demnity for Japans war expenditures.
If, however. Japan urges her demands TO
the extent of accession of part of China S
territory, the present prospect is that
China will not humble her pride to this
extent, but will continue to prosecute the
war as best she can. relying on the bitter
winter now at hand to give her a tenn
porary respite and defense.
The foregoing briefly summarizes the
situation as it is viewed by officials here
who have had most to do with the sub
Ject AT the outset. Great Britain sought
to have the United States and the great
powers of Europe intervene The facts
have not until now been made known.
Gable directions from the London for
elgn office first came to Mr.. GOSchen the
British charge d'affaires in the absence
of Sir Julian Pauncefote Mr. Goschen
was at the time at his summer home at
New London, Conn. The subject was too
important to be committed to the mail so
that Mr.. Goschen took the first train
tor Washington. He arrived September
20 and remained two days. He saw See
rotary Gresham in person and presented
Great Brltalns proposition that the Unit
ed States cooperate with other powers
toward peace. A reply was duly given
that this country would not cooperate
on the ground, it is said that the policy
OF the United States was to avoid en-
tangllng foreign alliances on questions
IN which it had no immediate concern
Since that time no efforts on the part Oi
Great Britain to urge the negotiations
nave been made as far rs known.
Under these circumstances the present
negotiations do not involve foreign inter.
ventlon. but a mutual arrangement be-
tween China and Japan to which foreign
powers Will give their moral support 1t
makes little difference, therefore what
the United States or other powers may
do so long as China and Japan come to-
gether, although both powers seem TO be
anxious to have the cooperation of this
country and others in their negotiations.
To what extent the Chinese minister
here has directed the negotiations is not
exactly known, as the legation officials
are very secretive. 1t is known. how
ever. that the Chinese minister had a
long conference with Secretary Gresham
yesterday morning. This was one of sew
eraI conferences held within the last ten
days. 1t is said however. that the main
proposition on the part of China comes
direct from United States Minister Den
by at Pekin.
From the very beginning of hostilities
the Chinese have been anxious to have the
United States arbitrate the differences
between themselves and the Japanese
which led to the war. but of course there
would be no arbitration except upon the
request of both parties, and that was lack
ing. But after the battle of Kiu-I.ipn-
Chang, on October % last, when the Chi
nese suffered their severe defeat at the
hands of the Japanese troops. who had
crossed the Yalu river. and were obliged
to retreat towards MOukden. they became
thoroughly alarmed and convinced that
something must be done to terminate the
war. They could not, however. so hum
bic their pride as to sue for peace direct
ly to Japan, but casting about for some
means of opening peace negotiations hit
upon the treaty with the United States
of 1913. The very first article of this
treaty pledges the United States, in case
China IS Oppressively or unjustly treated
by another power. to use its good Offices
to arrange the difficulty. 1t is similar in
scope to the first article in our treaty
wGh COrea, which led Secretary Gresham
at the beginning of the trouble to write
the note to United States Minister Dun
at Toxic relative to the Japanese occupa-
ton Of COrea which has excited so much
comment Encouraged by the attitude of
the United States at the time the Chin
csc government, as indicated by the
Associated Press cable dispatches from
China at the time. appealed to United
States Minister DENLY at Pekin to cause
his government to intervene, and Mr..
DENLY transmitted the application to
Washington, where it was laid before the
President; who has had it under consider
alton for week or more. As our repre-
sensations in the case Of the occupation of
CQrea had little effect, there was no rea-
son to suppose that a different result
would follow an attempt to use our good
offices in favor of China.
Another department. official presented the
japanese view of the present negotiations
as follows: Japan recognizes China's
craft, and she is not likely to be msled
which seem to mean much and in truth
mean nothing. The sovereignty Of COrea
is one of those empty propositions, as China
has been driven out of that country and
has nothing TO cOncede as TO that country.
Neither does Japan want any Chinese ter
ritory, not even the Island Of Formosa
which is in reality an extension of the
japanese group What she will undoubted-
ly expect is a cash indemnity sufficient to
recoup her for her war expenditure That
and the prestige of Japanese arms and
the humbling of China will give the full
fruits of victory. As a result of all the
negotiations it is altogether probable that
both China and Japan will ask the United
States to act as arbitrator in determin-
ing on what terms permanent peace shall
be restored, and in that event il is not
doubted that the United States will read