Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-02

japanese minister a. Seoul to the palace,
where he was informed that reforms in tn,
administrative policy of the Corean govern
n-ent had already been iDaugurated, with
reference to which he would be consulted as
occasion arose. The improvements in Corea' S
administrative policy have consequently,
Notwithstanding the repeated refusals of
China to even consider them, been put into
operation by the Independent action of the
Cerean government, and will be carried out
according to the kings will. The question
of Corea's autonomy AMI independence is
thus affirmatively settled.
Chinese Pretext.
The Japanese government knows from the
most reliable sources that China dispatched
large body of troops over land to Corea.
and that on the 18th of July they had al
ready crossed the Corean frontier. The
willingness which China had displayed up
to that time to listen to the friendly ad-
vice of the foreign powers, who were ex-
ercising their good offices to prevent war
between Japan and China, was merely
device for gaining time for warlike prepara-
tons This is now perfectly clear from the
subsequent action of China, especially by
the attack which was recently made upon
Japanese men-of-war near Asan. Under
these circumstances the Japanese govern
ment feels compelled to withdraw the pro-
posals for the settlement of the difficulty
which 1t had made to China at the sug-
gestion OF the foreign powers. II profound
ly regrets that the conciliatory efforts made
by those powers on behalf Of both Japan
and China should have thus been rendered
abortive. but is certain that the facts will
show that this result Is due to the unrea-
sonabie obstinacy of China. Nevertheless.
Japans inclinations are always pacific and
she win at all times be ready to listen to
peaceful proposals not inconsistent with
the actual condition Of affairs or with the
welfare and dignity Of the empire"
This Government Notified.
Notwithstanding diplomatic statements to
the contrary. the impression has obtained
that this government has received official
limitations of the existence of a state of
war between China and Japan, similar in
general terms to the notice served on Great
Britain. and having the same effect. The
telegraphic blockade has been partially
raised. and cable messages from United
states Minister Dun at Toxic have been de-
livered to the Secretary of State and by
him communicated to the President. They
are withheld from the public at present
but there is excellent reason for the belief
that they officially confirm the reported
declaration of war. According to report
the notice Is given by Japan, and its pur-
pose Is obviously to guard that country
against complications with other nations
such as have arisen as a result of the battle
fought last week, in which a transport fly
Ing Great Britain's flag was sunk by Japan
csc cruisers.
Minister Dun stated In his message that
in accordance with the instructions sent
him by the State Department he is taking
care OF the Chinese archives In Japan and
looking after the interests of Chinese resi-
dents IN that country. Instructions to this
effect were sent him some days ago. China
having requested the State Department to
direct our minister at Toxic to watch out
for its interests in the mikado's realm dur
Ing the existence of hostiiities.
The Chinese Archives.
The diplomatic representative of the Unit
ed States in China Is acting similarly with
reference to Japan's interests in that coun-
try. Japan, through its minister here last
week, asked the State Department to al
low our representative at Pekin to take
possession Of Japan's archives and protect
Japan's subjects in China A favorable
response was made to this request and In
structtonS were sent to Secretary Charles
DENLY, jr., charge daffaires of the United
States legation at Pekin. A dispatch re-
ceiyed from this official announces that he
has received the State Departments cable
gram In relation to this matter and will
carry out its directions. The Japanese le-
cation is also without official notice of a
formal declaration Of war. 1t is said at
the legation, however, that such action on
the part of their government would NOT he
at all surprising. Iii their opinion, if a
declaration has not been made one NAV
be expected at any moment. Japan's blood
is UP and she will now fight to the litter
end.
Naval Officers Instructed.
Secretary Herbert has sent a long climber
telegram to Commander Impey, command
ing the United States ship Monocacy, which
has just arrived a Nasasaki from Chemul-
pc, Corca, outlining the proper course of
action for the United States naval forces in
Asiatic waters toward the hostile coun-
tries. The general tenor of the instructions
Is Tor the observance of policy of strict
neutrality and non-fnterference 50 far as
the full protection of American interests
will permit. Similar Instructions have been
sent to our displomat1c representatives.
secretary Gresham refuses to discuss
what the probable attitude of this country
would be in regard to the sale of NUM-
uons of war by merchants Of the United
States to either japan or China There
are numerous precedents, however which
by Mr. Jefferson, when Secretary of State.
that the purchasing within and exporting
from the United States by way Of mcr-
chandise articles commonly called contra
band being generally warlike instruments
and military stores, Is free to all parties
at war and is not to be interfered with"
1t has been held also by other Secretaries
of State that the laws of the United
to either of the belligerent powers articles
contraband of war, or to take munitions of
war or soldiers on board their private ships
for transportation, and, although In so
doing the individual citizen exposes his
property person to some of the hazards
of war, his acts do not involve any breach
of national neutrality, nor of themselves
implicate the government"
The Chinese Arms.
Thus far China has purchased no rifles in
America, because Ii is arning his troops
with a new small bore, similar to that re-
Gently adopted by the United States, except
that the Chinese arm is .315 of an inch bore,
while ours is 1903. The model is the German
MannIicher. with a different cartridge
holder. The only purchases of arms here by
China, so far as is known, Is in the form of
a contract for 10000 revOlYers of the kind
known as the Russian pattern. seven-and-a-
halI-inCh barrel, IA callber Neither Japan
nor COrea has placed any arm contracts as
yet, though Capt. NOaki, military and naval
attache Of the japanese legation, has been
quietly visiting the great arms factories of
New England and getting prices.
Gen. Tarsney Ina Contempt.