The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1894-11-16
TO SETTLE THE WAR.
Cleveland willing to Act as Arbitrator
Between china and Japan.


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 at 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 to China. The cable was pre-
scented to n special meeting of the minis
try. The proposition presents a 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 in reaching de-
cision on the American proposition, but
the prospect is that it will be accepted.
1t is learned that four days before
France made proposition to the United
States to intervene.
1t is the belief in Washington that
China viii 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
eminent 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? II 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 n 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 n medi-
ator; second, statement of China's ex-
act offer to Japan of the terms and
amount of cash indemnity she will pay.
AS to the amount of cash ii is not likely
that Japan will accept the mediation un-
less S100,000000 is offered. This will
about represent what Japan has actually
spent on the war. She does not ask for
exemplary or punitive damages as 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
aoe1 This is roughly figured as follows:
Japan had a reserve fund of $50 ,000,-
600 on hand when the war began.
This has been spent. Then she nego-
tiated war loan of 100000 yen "a
yen being about equivalent to our dol
lar). This makes $75,000000 actually
used in the war. Besides this japanese
citizens have contributed large sums.
The total outlay, including obligations in
cured is estimated at about 100000
| 600. The extra session of the japanese
Diet resulted in n law authorizing a war
expenditure up to $150,000,000, but this
| limit has not been reached.