The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-11-22
QUESTION OF ENDURANCE
Great Strength of Port Arthur-Roth
Empires Want Peace.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 1S94.-Interest
in the Japanese Chinese war, since the
publication of the fact that Japan will
receive advances looking to a settlement
of the controversy alone from China
centres in speculation concerning the
limit of further duration of hostilities
1t is assumed that they will, in all pro-
liability, cease with the fall of Port
Arthur. But when that event will occur
is doubtful. This point is said by those
acquainted with it. to be superior to
Gibraltar in its natural and artificial re-
sources of defence. The Japanese papers
concede that Li-Hung-Chang has as
sembled there the flower of the Chinese
army, and admitting even that the esti-
mates of their unmber exaggerate by 100
per cent. the real strength of the gar
rison, good authorities declare that 5000
well disciplined troops can hold the place
for a period limited only by the amount
of stores on. hand.
English and German engineers in the
employ of the Chinese Government have
mined all the usual approaches connected
with the port itself by underground cleo
trio wires, so that the Japanese army
under Oyama, which is proceeding to
invest the place, has been compelled to
advance by detours from the roads over
the rough hilly country. So that the
rate of progress, necessarily, has been
slow. At the date of latest advies the
Japanese troops were forty miles from
Port Arthur. and it is impossible to more
than approximate the date of their ar
rival at their proposed destination.
* AN ASSAULT DOUBTFUL.
That Gen. Oyama will resolve upon
an assault is doubted by many who have
To be repuIsed would be a serious set
back to the hitherto Triumphant army
and the moral effect would be to great
ly encourage the Chinese. 1t is believed,
be resorted to by the Japanese com
mander. This can be maintained through
the winter, it is asserted, without entail
ing special suffering upon the troops.
be no more rigorous than that of Bos-
ton. The published reports of the dread
full weather which prevails there in the
winter are said by those familiar with
BOTH WANT PEACE.
Both China and Japan are believed to
be anxious for speedy cessation Of
hostilities One well-informed diplomat
today, speaking of the probabilities, said :
The reigning dynasty in, China must
know that, in case the Japanese reach
Pekin, it's fall is certain. They will
therefore, be anxious to conclude a
peace before that event can happen
Should the dynasty fall with that Gov
ernment would the Japanese treat for 8
settlement? 1t seems to me it would be
much better for the Japanese that the
present Government of China should
continue in power, even if they don't
quite get to Pekin. The Chinese would
fall to fighting among themselves for
the succession to the throne with such
bitterness that success over the factions
would be but a barren victory"
In considering the qualification of
United States Ministers DENLY and Dun
for acting as the mediators between the
respective countries to which they are
accredited, it should be remembered that
Mr.. DENLY has been in China for nearly
ten years, is the dean of the diplomatic
corps at Pekin, and is known to possess
the confidence of the Chinese officials
to an unusual degree.
1t would be only natural that he should
have much influence in determining the
basis upon which the combatants should
treat. Mr.. Dun is no less fortunately
situated. His long official residence in
Japan as Second Secretary and First Sec
retary of Legation and Minister was
preceded by a term of residence in the
country as a business man, in the course
of which he married native of the
country, who has been dead for some
President Arthur and promoted to be
First Secretary by President Harrison,
and made Minister by President Cleve-
land at the request of Hon. Allan G..
Thurman, who is his uncle.