Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-30
Relative to a Settlement of Her War With China
IS TO KEEP OUT THE POWERS.
The Armenian Investigation Looks Very One Sided-A
 Stroke of Political Policy.

LONDON, Dec. 29.-tCable letter. l-The Japanese government has made no response 10 the fresh suggestions from the British goverrment that the terms upon which Japan is willing to treat for peace with China ought to be communicated to the powers. On the contrary tue Japanese have persisted in maintaining policy of retieence. The Ir,ish minister al Tokio has been unable to get the slightest scrap of official information on the subject of the conditions for which Japan will con- tend, and the Japanese embassy in London is equally stcretive. The latter, it is true, has some knowledge of the situation, but it is partly of a negative and partly of posi- tive character. The em bassy is free, how ever, in disregarding the recent cable- grams attributing to Japan the design of forcing an alliance with China againsl the European powers.
 he leading principle of the present ne- gotations between the two empires, as far as Japan is concerned, will be total abstention from any demand which would give China excuse tc ask for European in- tervention Japan therefore, will not stipulate for any territorial or commerc1ai acQuisitions in which the other powers are directly interested. Formosa will be taken by Japan as part of pledge for war indem- nifty, and Corean Chinese ports that are not treaty ports will be held as pledge for the remainder of the indemnity, together with such lien upon the Chinese customs as will not prejudice the customs revenues already mortgaged. These terms, which are divulged by the Japanese embassy, are a great deal more moderate than those de- scrbed in the sensational caolegrams re- ceived here from Tokio and elsewhere and have the stamp of belief in diplomatic clr' cles.
 great body of the members of the lib- eral party are resolved that there shall be some intervention in Armenia and have re- lied upon the government to carry out their plans. There is great surprise among them at finding that the foreign commits sion of inquiry which is going to Arme- mia is composed only of Dragomans. Rus sia's delegate, M. Major, has been a Drag oman attached to the Russian embassy at Constantinople. NJ. VIlbert, the French delegate, is an interpreter in the employ of the French consul at the Turkish capital, and England's delegate, MT. Sbapely, Is vice-consul to Turkey. The personnel Of the commission as thus described gives no security, says the Speaker, that there will be a satisfactory inqoiry, especially since the American delegate has been refused permission to make an independent Invest igation. There is hope now, continues the Speaker, of getting at the truth, even if the Dragomans should be allowed, as they will not be, to take an active part in the Investigation. England ought to come to some agreement with Russia without delay to the end of taking action together or without the cooperation Of the powers and they should act at once.
 word from England would lead to revolution in Crete and Macedonia, and even in Constantinopie. The Speaker gives expression to the popular feeling on the sub bject, winch has been greatly increased by the ringing speech delivered to the Armenian depuiatio by Mir. Gladstone at Hawarden. Lord Rosebery has sum- moned meeting of the cabinet council on Monday and has accompanied his sum- mons with a request that the ministers make arrangements to remain in London thereafter. The conservatives have already intimated to the tory mem bers of the house of commons who are now abroad that they should not fail to be present at the opening of the next session of parliament The leaders on both sides recognlzs the fact that the distress will be at its great est. If the government will survive the debate on the answers h reply 10 the speech they may tide over the session, but other wise they would be in constant danger of failing. The danger of the Redmoud1te faction of the Irish party throwing their votes to the conservatives has lessened considera bly, under the ipfiuence of the governments pro-Irish policy.
 The McCarthyite leaders have received explicit ministerial assurance that the principle of home rule will be reaftlrmed at the coming session of the party congress
  the platform. Besides MT. Morley's laud bill in the interest of the tenants the action of ihe special commissioners which has been taken 10 avert famine h Ireland have aroused warm approval in Ireland. The government has already made advances of money with which to locate boards for the purpose of purchasing seed potatoes, and the boards are also rsed to make ao- vances of finances to be paid in two annual installments.
 Mir. John Redmond will return from his voyage to Cape Colony mex. week at which time the period of political activity will be- gin.
 shrewd dodge on the part of the Marquis of Sligo to extort poor rates even from the poorest of his tenants. Under the pro- visions of the land act when the valuation Of tenant is under &f the landlords mu st pay the poor rate Instead of the tenant. Lord Sligo, however, has grouped his tenants who pay less than &4 for their holdings as tenants in common, and iu this way he is enabled to skin even the e1 holders out of the poor rates. The Mar quis of Sligo draws E20, 600 year from his estates in Ireland, and from this exposure it is easy to see how he does it.
 MT. A. J. c. Donela, member of parlia- ment for East Cork, who has been paying a visit to Gladstone at Hawardeu, described the ex-premier's step as elastic and his spirits as buoynnt. His eyes have regained all of their old lustre, and in conversation with MT. Donela he induiged in hearty laughter. MT. Gladstone conversed largely upe" Irish topics and his interest in the cause seemed as keen as ever. Hespoke of the home rule party as one composed of men of ability and honor.
 "Surely,' says the Freeman's Journal, commenting upon MT. Donelas interview with Mir. Gladstone, tive have the right to hope that once again the veteran s voice will thrill the hearts oi the people by speaking of home rule.'
 There is excellent authority for the state- | ment that the colonial office supports the | Canadian view of the copyright question. |
 The Manitoba government closed its | London office permanently today.
 The Yachting World says: "It is the | consensus of opinion among the leading | yachtsmen thatth Royal Yacht squadron will accept the custody of the America's cup | should an English yacht win it.
 The proposed journey of Cardinal | Vaughan, which was to have been made | soon, has been postponed on account of a | severe attack of bronchitis with which the |
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