The morning call., 1894-11-30
DIRECT TO JAPAN.
China Must Come Out of
Her Shell
Is SHE DESIRES PEACE.
There Is Just One Way to
Treat for 1t.
s SHE DESIRES PEACE.
RUSSIAN TALKoF INTERFERENCE
America May Mediate, but No Offer
From a Subordinate viii Be
Given Attention.

ASH1NGTON, NOV. ~. - OmclalS at
Washington who have been interested in
bringing about peace between China and
Japan are surprised by the refusal of
Japan to entertain any propositions COM
ing from Mr.. Detring. This official is Com
missioner of the Maritime Customs of
Tientsin, and his immediate superior is the
English baronet, Sir Robert Hart.
While the japanese legation has re-
ceved no official confirmation of the dis
patches indicating that the mission of Mr..
Detrlng on behalf of China to Japan has
been failure, the disposition is to regard
the Information as authentic. The time,
they say, has passed when the differences
existing between the two nations can be
settled by the customs authorities as if it
were matter of mere routine business,
and they declare that if China really de-
sireS to bring about peace through negota-
ti0nS it must De done through a regularly
accredited envoy from the Emperor of
China 90 the Emperor of Japan. In the
meantime, and until China comes to real
iZe the present conditions under which
peace negotiations can be procured, the
war must go On.
The japanese authorities do not regard
with favor the reports of the interference
OF the European powers. Regarding the
St Petersburg Associated Press dispatch
quoting the Novoe Vremya they say that
while they recognize that the Novoe
Vremya may speak by authority on ac-
count of its relations with the Russian
crown, its assumption that Japan has re-
jected peace proposals is without founda-
tion. They also assert that no figures have
been fixed as TO the amount of indemnity
which Japan is willing to accept. There
are matters of detail which the japanese
officials in this city say canonly be arranged
when China comes 10 realize that there is
but one way to treat with Japan and that
IS by direct negotiations. They take the
position that so far Japan has done moth
ing which could justify the interference of
the foreign powers and intimate that 1t
would be time enough for interference
when Japan should really make some de-
mands that are unreasonable.
This characterization applies only to the
European powers. There is no disposi-
ton to scout the proposition of the United
States TO mediate. On the contrary it is
suggested at the legation that it would be
entirely satisfactory to have the prelimin-
aries of any peace negotiations conducted
by the American Ministers to Japan and
China, because they are Informed as to the
situation and it is believed that they would
be unbiased and impartial. With negotia-
tions begun in this way they insist, how
ever. that the details must be left to be ar
ranged by direct conference between the
personal representatives of the Chinese
ruler and the japanese Foreign Minister
The officers of the Japanese legation
are. as a matter of fact. of the opinion
that 1t is rather degradation OF the dig
nifty of Japan that China should attempt
underhand negotiations, particularly
through two foreigners, such as are Deting
and Hart. One of these. Hart, would be
almost sure to be in the interest of Eng
land in whatever he did. He is an exten-
sive landed proprietor in Ireland. He was
in the British consular service at Peking
and was then given charge of China's
custom service. He organized this on civil
service lines, employing foreigners, mainly
Englshmen. to do it. At the time Queen
Victoria celebrated the Jubilee anniver-
sary" of the fiftieth year of her reign Hart
was made Baron in recognition of bis
conspicuous service in China. The rank
was of such character that it does not
expire, as is usually the case. He is still
at the head of the Chinese Customs Service.
That an attempt should have been made
to cause these TWO foreigners to be med-
ums of China's negotiations is regarded as
unusual in view of Japan's sugges ton
that China must make her offer directly
through the American Ministers.
ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 29.-The Novoe
Vremya declares the irreconcilable atti-
tude of Japan in refusing China's peace
proposals renders it incumbent upon the
powers to demand explanations regarding
Japan's ultimate objects.