Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-19
THE CHINA-JAPAN CASE
The United States Offer of Mediation Closed
for the Present.
Japan Intimatcs That China Must
First Raise the White Flag
of Truce.

The China Japan incident, so far as the
United States offer of mediation Is con-
cerned, Is considered closed for the present
by those in a position to understand the
situation. At the State Department and at
the Chinese and japanese legations there
is only negative information, to the effect
that no positive suggestion of mediation
has been received. While this is believed
to be literally true, so far as Japan's an
swering by positive acceptance or decli-
nation of the suggestion, yet those we'll
informed on the subject say Japan has
made her position clear to this government
in such way as to avoid the embarrass-
ments of a positive declination, and yet to
show that an acceptance would have to be
based on certain definite conditions. Japan
could state this position with such express
sion of good will for the kindly motives of
the United States, and such hopes that the
time might come in the future when the
good offices of this country would be most
acceptable, that il would leave no caNse
for friction, but would rather increase the
good feeling between Japan and this coun-
try.
China Must Raise IA Flag of Truce.
1t is believed that the essential condition
on which Japan will consent to any media
ton is that China will raise the white flag
of truce the emblem recognized the world
over an indication that contestant
wants to treat for terms of peace. China
has not yet made any direct offer to Japan,
and the latter is not disposed to consider
roundabout offers which overlook the
recognized international emblem of the
white flag. The reports that Japan wound
demand surrender of the entire Chinese
fleet and the ceSSion of several Chinese
ports pending the payment of the in
demnity are not credited here. 1t is pointed
out that these reports come from "diplo-
matte sources at Shanghai" whereas the
diplomats in China are at Peking or Tien
Tsn. While such a surrender of fleet and
ports might ultimately be demanded it is
pointed out that they would be contingeri-
cies TO follow the first essential of China 5
raising the flag of truce.
The Presidents Message.
The statement was made in congress
sional circles today that President Cleve-
lands coming message to Congress would
throw light on the China-Japan question
and would forestall any resolutions of
inquiry. AS the Secretary of State, unlike
other cabinet officers, makes no annual
report to Congress, the Presidents mes
sage ordinarily deals fully with foreign
affairs in which the government has any
part, and as the recent negotiations with
China and Japan are the most important
foreign questions the State Department
has handled in some time, it is Included
that Mr.. Cleveland will make clear the
position of this government. Up to the
present time there is NJ official informa-
ton on the subject, and the State Depart
ment has not even stated officially that
negotiations with China and Japan were
In progress. The reading of the Presi-
dents message is the first business of
Congress, SO that 1T would precede the
contemplated introduction of resolutions of
inquiry by Representative Bellamy Storer.
1t is the belief of those familiar with
President Clevelands position against for
eign entanglements that such reference
as he may make to the subject in his mes
Sage will be the ground of humanity,
urging that while this government need
not reach abroad for conquest and acuuI-
sition, 1t can well adopt an enlightened
policy which will aid in maintaining the
peace and progress of the world.