The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-11-20
oU. MEDIATION

In the chinS-.Japaa QusstioB-Ths In.
eidsht Closed for the PreseRt-Ths Presl.
dents Message May Deal With It.
WARRINGTON, Now l9.-The China.
Japan incident, SO far as the United
States offer Of mediation IL concerned. is
considered closed for the present by
those in position to understand the
situation. Attic state department, and
at the Chinese and Japanese legations
there Is only negative Information 10
the effect that no positive answer TO the
American suggestion Of mediation has
been received, while il Is believed To be
literally true so far as Japau's answer
Ing by positive acceptance or declina.
ton OF the suggestion, yet those we'll In
formed on the subject say Japan has
made her position clear to this govern
ment in such way as 70 avoid the en-
barrassment, OF positive declination
and yet to show that an acceptance
would have to be based on certain def-
mite conditions. II 10 said that Japan
could state this position with such ex-
preston OF good will for the kindly
motives OF the United States aud such
hopes that the time might come in the
future when the good Offices OF this
country would oe most accep table, that
Il would leave no cause for friction, but
would rather increase the good feeling
between Japan and this country.
II is believed that the essential con-
dition on which Japan would consent TO
any mediation ia that China will raise
the white flag OF truce, the emblem rec.
ognized the world over as an indica-
ton that contestant wants TO treat for
terms oil peace. China has not yet
made any direct offer to Japan and the
latter Is not disposed to consider round.
about offers which overlook the recog.
nized international emblem OF the
white flag. The reports that Japan
would demand q surrender OF the en-
tire Chinese fleet and the cession OF sew
eral Chinese ports pending the payment
OF indemnlties is not credited here. 1t
Ia pointed out that these reports come
from diplomatic sources at Shanghai"
whereas the diplomats In China are at
Pekin or TEN Tsin. While such sur
render OF feet and ports might ulti-
mately be demanded, 1t is pointed out
that they would be contingencies to fol-
low the first essential Of China's raising
the flag OF truce.
The statement was made in congress
sional circles to-day that President
Cleveland coming message to Congress
would throw light on the China-Japan
question, and would forestall any reso.
lutions OF inquiry. AS the secretary OF
state, unlike other cabinet officers,
makes no annual report to Congress, the
Presidents message ordinarily deals
fully with foreign affairs in which this
government has any part, and. as the
recent negotiations with China and
Japan are the most important foreign
question the department has handled
In some time. it is concluded that MIR.
Cleveland will make clear the position
OF this government. Up to the present
time there is no official information on
the subject, and the state departmenthas
not even stated Officially thatnegotiations
with China and Japan are in progress.
The reading Of the presidents message
ia the first business Of Congress, 30 that
1t would precede the contemplated in
PRODUCTION OF resolutions OF inquiry by
Representative BeIamy storer. 1t Is
the belief OF those familiar with Presf-
dent Cleveland's position against for.
eigu entanglements, that such reference
as he may make to the subject will be
on the grounds of humanity, urging
that while this government need not
reach abroad for conquest and acquisi-
ton, it can we'll adopt an enlightened
policy which will aid in maintaining the
peace and progress OF the world.