The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-28
KNOWS HER VANTAGE.
JAPAN is NOT DISPOSED TO SURREN
DER ANY OF 1T.

Can Manage its Own Little Afair---Dun's
| Services VIII be Allowed China.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-The State
Department has received cable reply
from Japan through Minister Dun at
Toxic to the United States suggestion
of mediation. The japanese Legation
here has also received from the For
eign Office in Japan cable stating
that reply has been made and giving
its terms. Both cables were received
here Sunday afternoon. The cable to
Secretary Gresham is accompan-
led by unusual dignity and
formality in having the imperial
sanction of his Majesty, the
Emperor of Japan. 1t is rarely that
the Emperor speaks in diplomatic
negotiations so that his action in this
case is evidence of Japan's desire to
express it's appreciation of the course
of the United Ssates.
The message is in two parts, the
first giving the imperial expression
of good will and saying that the sue
cess of the Japanese arms had been
such that China should approach ia
pan directly. The second part ismore
directly from Minister Dun and eX-
presses the view of the japanese For
eign Office that as China has no Minis
ter at Toxic to submit direct propo-
sition it could be made by China
through Minister Dun. The cable to
Minister Kurino is substantially the
same as the foregoing.
The replies were decided on alta spe-
cial meeting of the japanese Cabinet
on Saturday, and were sent from To-
kio Saturday night but the transmits
sion delayed them until Sunday.
The tone of the reply and the eX-
preston of imperial good will give
much satisfaction to the officials here.
and now that the facts are known no
| further reserve is maintained as to the
terms of the negotiations which have
hitherto been withheld. 1t appears
that at the outset Secretary Gresham
consulted Minister Kurino, as there
was no desire to take action which
would be otherwise than agreeable to
Japan. At a conferences between the
Secretary and the Minister, at which
Secretary Carlisle was present, the
entire purpose of this country was
made clear. This was before Mr.. Ores
ham had sent the message to Japan
suggesting American mediation. Itwas
clear that President Cleveland had no
desire to mediate the trouble, but on
the contrary felt that the exercise of
the good offices of the United States
might entail sersous burden and re-
sponsibility, and possibly excite ulti-
mate feeling by one party or the other.
Under these circumstances no action
would be taken if Japan felt it would
create an awkward situation. Partlc-
ular stress was laid on the fact that
Japan would be entirely free to act as
she saw fit, that there was no pressure
to have her accept American media
ton and that the entire proceeding
was due to the belief that this country
was in a position to render a service
to both belligerents.
These sentiments were cordially re-
ciprocated by Minister Kurino so that
Mr.. Gresham had the cooperation of
the Japanese Minister before the mes
sage was transmitted oJapan through
Minister Dun. Since then the Minis
ter has further co-operated with the
Secretary and the kindly reply. with
the imperial sanction is the result.
A new and important situation is
now presented by Japan's proposition
that China make direct offer through
United States Minister Dun at Toxic.
This makes Mr.. Dun the interesting
| centre of negotiations from this time
| forward. unless the United States
should decline to allow him to act as
the direct representative of China in
submitting an offer. This is not an
ticipated, however. 1t is said that the
| usual course would be, for the State
Department to notify Mr.. Dun, and
also Minister DENLY at Pekin, that
they were at liberty to transmit from
China to Japan such directpeace over
lures as the former desired to make.
It would then be for China to formu-
late its offer to Minister DENLY. lie
| in turn would transmit it to Minister
Dun as China's direct offer and not as
an intermediary offer through the
United States. The State Department
| undoubtedly would be apprised of the
action of Messrs. DENLY and Dun,
but would not be the channel Of their
communication, as it is the basis of
Japan's new proposition that the offer
come direct from China and not
through the mediation of the United
States The reply of Japan is so con,
ciliatory and receptive that it is point,
ed out that Dun's skill as a diplomat
has scope for conspicuous service IN
terminating the war.
The action of the European powers
OH the new phase of the question is
now awaited with much interest. ia,
pans suggestion that Minister Dun
will be an acceptable medium Of com
munication from China in effect elm
mates Great Britain, France and the
other powers from being factors i'll the
negotiations. 1t is believed, however,
from official information received
here that Russia, Italy and Germany
will certainly look with favor on Chi,
mas dealing through Minister Dun.
| The same sources indicate that Austria
probably will give her adherence. as
her membership in the Triple ALI
ance makes her foreign policy similar
to that of Germany and Italy. The
position of Germany has been s0close,
ly analogous to that of the United
States that il has been q question OIL