The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-03
PORT ARTHUR AS A HOSTAGE.
japanese Cruelty at Port Arthur Pro-
yoked BY Chinese Atrocities.
TIE Foreigners at Pekfng Not in Peril
Belief Spreading That There VIII
BE No More Fightsng-An ArmIstiee
Expected soon.

coantsr-pr0position for transmission 10
United States Minister DENLY. Owing 10
tae secrecy surrounding the negotiation,
II IS impossible a. this stage TO discover
the exaes nature of this eounter-proposi-
ton. but IL is supposed 10 differ from Min
lister Denby's original proposition manly
In respect 70 the amount of the indie mnity
named by japan and In the addition OF GER
tain rather onsrous guarantees for the
faithful execution of Chsna's pledge. Ii is
rumored thar one of these guarantees is
the continuation Of the Japanese occupa-
tion Of Port Arthur until the treaty
conditions are iuihlied, but it is appre-
hended that such demand may involve
Great Britain. TO which nation such oceu-
patton would be obnoxious.
YOKOHAMA, Dec. MIR. Dstring, the
envoy who visited Japan for the purpose
of negotiating peace. and whose mission
proved failure, the prime minister de-
Ginning TO meet him, has written private
letter to the prime minister. denying that
he was sent 10 Japan by Ii Hung Chang.
l.oNDoS, Dec. 3.-The correspondent of
the IiHses selegraphs as follows from Hiro-
shima Il have just returned from the
seat of war and had a conversation with
Viscount Mussa Munemitsu, the foreign
minister, in regard 10 misconduct of the
Japanese at Port Arthur. | informed him
thar l had watched the Japanese army
enter the town. The Chinese resisted TO
the last. / saw Chinese in plain clothes
with firearms concealed on their persons.
also found explosive bullets. The Japa-
ness reported that civilians fired upon
them from the houses. and they therefore
deemed 1t necessa ~ to exterminate them.
The Japanese were further excited by find-
ing the muuiated remains OF the Japanese
prisoner. Some of these prisoners had
been burned alive. | saw no resistance in
the town during the next four days. The
Japanese pillaged the whole town and
killed almost every man. Very few women
or children were killed. Those who were
killed were probably killed unlntention-
ally. | saw scores of Chinese prisoners
piuioned, disemooweled and dismembereG.
Many bodies were partially buried. The
foreign minister expressed himself as in
tensely surprised and grieyed. Hitherto,
he added. the Japanese army had been
admired for its humanity and discipline.
He was unwilling to believe il posi-
bic that they acted as reported, or
to express an opinion on the subject
until a detailed official report arrived.
Meanwhile he authorized me to say that
he was certain the government was sim
cerely determined to act on principles of
humanity and civilization, and was firmly
resolved to maintain the honor of Japan
and refute Chinese SANDERS. | am salts
fed the government desires neither TO
conceal the truth nor TO permit ISLANDERS"
A Chefoo dispatch 90 the Times says IL
is reported that the japanese fleet
is desirous Of taking more prom
inent part in the war. The
feet was seen of Weihaiwei, but
has now disappeared. Weihaiwei is
strongly defended. The Chinese
feet was still inside the harbor
Reinforcements are beingrpoured in from
the land side. Gen. Chang is in command.
He is a brave and competent officer, and
is assisted by several foreigners. The
Chinese people fear that If peacs is made
the disbanded troops will commit outraees.
In few days time all traffic north will
close.
The japanese will have to act quickly If
they intend TO attack Peking. The last
reliable reports received in Cheetoo state
that Japan has informed the American
minister that she is willing to negotiate If
China sues for peace. This China has
done, so an armistice Is likely to be or
ranged.
LoyDos. Dec. 3.-A dispatch from Ber-
lin states that China ha. accepted the En-
glish offer of Al per cent. loan of 81, 100, =
coo.
PARIS. Dec. 2-The Figaro urge. France
to temporarily occupy some point in
China as a reply 20 the English demonstra-
tion at Chusan, which it interprsts as an
intention TO occupy the island.
WAsHIssrox CRY. Dec. At is stated
positively at the department of state that
there is no fresh reason for apprehension
touching the safety of American residents
Of Psking, and that United States Minis
ter Denby has not made any appeal to the
department for protection since his orig
inal dispatch, sent some time ago ard re-
ferred to at the time in the Associated
Press dispatches, ia which he stated that
should the Japanese troops attack Pekiug
the safety OF the foreign residents might
be threatened, and it would be well 10
send force OF United States troops TO
urotect the legation. As Is customary in
such cases, this dispatch was promptly
communicates to the navy department,
and 6ftv marines were ordered 10 be trans
ferred from the other vessels Of the Amer
ican feet to the Mouoeacy at Tientsin.
In addition. Admiral Carpenter was "a
structed 10 pat himself in communication
with Minister Denby and - use
his discretion in doing everything
necessary TO insure the safety Of
American residents All OF this took
mace some time ago, and since
then Mr.. Denby has msde no further az
ulication for protection. He Is ~ liberty
A. any time TO transfer his legation 20
Tienss.n, where il would be almost under
the guns Of TIE MouocAey. aud. IN fact, he
was authorized TO do ~ 5 az q very early
stage OF the var, snen the Chinese showed
svgnrtoans Of i saffection after the ilrst re-
verses sustAinei BY iheir armies he ie-
easson 2culd certainly be mGca safer 81
T eatsin than AZ Peking. and j; Is smpos-
slnt@ tor even the lixhs-s4Taft &onocAcy 70
navigate the river ap 10 the latter city AZ
this season Of tae year. Bat the fact that
Mr. genbv. although tie means cf COM
rugnicatlon are open. has not recently
.sxed for aid from the department. IS re-
esYsi.-,i as svldenee that he feels no Gppre-
kension al present. snd this view Is sup
rsa-teA ~ casle savlces from Cbsefoo to
the effect that. encouraged by the prospect
Of : restoration Of psaee. many OF the for
ssgn residents OF Psking who had taken