Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-30
AMERICA AS MEDIATOR
England Said to Favor Nh. Cleveland as
Arbiter With China.
The Situation Explained by the jap
nhese Minister, Mr.. TatenO-Discon-
tent i'm COrea Alleged to De Rife.
LOI,don Dispatch New York Sun

Nnlild ana Japan. IL is true, however. that
the British government has not abandoned
the hope of staying further hostilities. Her
majesty's government is willing to so to the
greatest lengths to accomplish this object
War in the far east would be regarded with
genuine CONSERVATION by the British for
eign office. 1t would mean the complete re-
adjustment of the whole of the eastern sit
uation, readjustment which would surely
result in serious disadvantage to British in
terests, even If war was actually escaped
by this country. Herce there has been
the greatest anxiety and activity in diplo-
matte circles here for tweaty-four hours
that have been seen since England was on
the verge of war with France just a year
ago.
The special cabinet council summoned Ia ST
night for the consideration of the eastern
question met this morning. The cables were
burdened all night with long government
messages. The Chinese minister received
a dispatch from Tientsin at 5 o'clock this
morning, which caused him to summca Sir
Halliday Mccartney to the legation an hour
later. Both gentlemen were closeted' with
Lord Kimberley long before his usual office
hour. Lord Rosebery then consulted with
the foreign secretary several hours in the
middle of the day.
American Mediation.
One American cable was almost moaopo-
liked by urgent messages between the State
Department at Washington and the {titish
foreign office. / have good authorize for
saying that the British government has
| abandoned the suggestion that the aues-
tions at dispute between China and Japan
be submitted TO IT as an arbitrator, IL being
evident that such an arrangement would
be opposed by Russia The whole effort of
the English government now is to- secure
the acceptance by both disputants of Presi-
dent Cleveland's offer to mediate. Oriental
diplomacy Is a thing past finding out. and
nobody dares TO prophesy, but the opinion
| in diplomatic circles here now is that a
compromise is no longer possible and that
war is inevitable.
The Chinese government having made in
quiries in London as TO the price the mar
ket would give for Chinese loan of several
million pounds, the Hong Kong and Shang-
hal Bank made an offer to the government
| at Pekin to take the whole loan, but the
government replied that they were not in
need of money.
The activity Of The Japanese operations is
| supposed to have been melted by the desire
of the government TO achieve some success
| es before the general elections, which take
| place in August. After the elections il is
! assumed that Japan will readily arrange
| terms of peace.
Discomfort I'm Corea.
As the result of inquiry made Of experts
in eastern politics and persons who have
resided in Corea, the representative of the
| Associated Press in London learns that
|
| cause of the corruption and misgovernment
that everywhere prevail. One of the most
| powerful revolutionary factors in the coun-
| try is a quasi religious sect called Tong
l Hak, which ascrioes the precarious condi-
ton of Corean trade and commerce to the
presence of foreigners in the country. This
| sect has set for itself the task of Kidding
| Corea of the hated foreigners. and has
| threatened the Japanese and other foreign
residents. Among the charges brought
| against the foreigners Is one that they have
| caused an enormous increase in the prices
| of food stuffs without any benefit accruing
| to the Coreans.
The King of Corea possesses no real au-
| thority, and he is in constant terror of a
revolution that will sweep him from his
| throne. He is heavily in debt, and the whole
country is in a state of anarchy. To this
| condition OF affairs is due the revolt that
| recently started in one of the provinces.
Last year 10000 Coreans, armed and I'M
armed. threatened to march on the capital.
Seoul, and eNpel the foreigners. This re-
| bellion was suppressed. but the country has
| been disturbed ever since. Reforms in the
administration are regarded as absolutely
necessary, not only to save the commerce
of the country, but for the safety of for
| eigners.
Foreign Intervention Asked.
Advices received in Berlin from Seoul, by
| way of Shanghai, show that upon the re-
fusai Of Corea to accede TO Japan's demand
| that the Chinese troops be sent out of the
country, the japanese advanced on Seoul.
After short encounter. in which the Cor
cans were defeated. the japanese occupied
the royal palace. The King of Corea there
upon asked the foreign represen tatiyes TO
intervene.
China's Preparation for War.
Advices have reached London indicating
that the japanese attacked the Chinese
troops who landed at Asan from the trans
hat mad fror, ha lam MA
ships. 1t is added that China has prohibited
the expectation of rice or grain. Torpedoes
have been laid in the North channel and
the entrance of Yang Use Kiang river. The
Chinese government is buying war material
freely.
Mr.. Tateno on the Situation.
From the New York Herald.
/ have had an interview with Mr.. Coco
Tateno. the accomplished and popular
Japanese minister. whose recall is the SUBJ
ject of general regret here In the course
of our conversation Mr.. Tateno gave a
very interesting summary OF the relations,
past and present, between China and Japan.
80 far" he remarked, "as relations be-
tween China and Japan are concerned, IL
may be said that for the past twenty years
it has been the object of the men who have
controlled Japanese affairs-and that in
cludes men OF every political faith and be-
lief-to keep on good terms with China. 1t
has been recognized In Japan that her IN
terests and those Of China are in a general
way Identical. Most of the trouble between
the two countries has originated in a sus-
picion, which seems 80 be ingrained IN the
Chinese mind, that the Japanese are not in
earnest in their declarations that Japan has
no desire to be the ruling power OF the east
nor in any way to affect China's standing
among other nations of the orient.
COren's Independence Recognized.
The Japanese have never claimed suzer-
ain rights over Corea since ancient times
The Chinese on two occasions have dis
avowed any responsibility for the govern
ment of the hermit kingdom, the first to the
French and the second 10 the Americans
The Tien Tsin convention was distinct
disavowal on the part of China of sry
suZerain rights over Corea, and was a mu-
tual acknowledgment by both nations that
neither should interfere by force of arms in
the affairs of Corea without the consent
and knowledge of the other. Throughout
the whole of our dealings with Corea il has
been our purpose to preserve the autonomy
| of Corea. We desire that Corea should be
an Independent state. 1t has been shown
| time and time again that if Coreas posi-
| ton had been definitely determined much
| of the trouble In the orient would not have
occurred. Commerce Between Corea and
Japan has steadily increased since 1916, and
| at the present time Japan is the principal
commercial nation represented In Corea,
and the number OF Japanese residents in
| the kingdom is larger than the number ~