The morning call., 1894-11-15
ONE MORE ERROR.
Gresham's Hand i'm the
Orient.
1T WAS NOT HIS PLAY.
Neither China Nor Japan De-
string Mediation.
T WAS NOT HIS PLAY.
EUROPE MADE HIM A cATspAw.
1t Would Seem That President
Cleveiand's Secretary Could Do
No Worse Than This.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14.-Iti is stated here
iu official circles that Japan has not yet
accepted the Invitation of the United
States to submit the question of peace
with China TO American mediation. While
the statement is probably literally correct
there is reason to believe that Japan has
requested, as a preliminary to action upon
our invitation, that she be informed ex-
plicitly just what terms China has to pro-
pose as a basis of treaty of peace. Up
to this time China has not submitted any
definite proposals, so that the delay ap-
pears to be rather on her part than on the
part of Japan. 1t could not fairly be ex.
perted that the Japanese would halt in
their triumphant march and, perhaps.
afford their opponents a very potent op-
portunity to rally from their disorga nizad
condition unless Japan is furnished with
some satisfactory proposition by China
that may be binding beyond question
upon the latter No such satisfactory
proposition has yet been made by China.
but on the contrary tho Chinese tenders so
far have been on basis that could not be
accepted with safety and consistency by
japan.
For instance. Chinese proposition was
that Korea be evacuated by both Chinese
and Japanese troops, 1nasmuch as the
principal cause of the war was Japan's
contention that the entire Korean admin
istrative and financial system must be re-
formed on modern lines and that Japan
must undertake the task, a temporary oc-
cupation of the country at least by Japan
was a necessary condition. And condi-
tioning that japanese troops evacuate
China Immediately would also violate all
precedent, for it is customary in such cases
for the victorious nation to remain in
possession of the captured territory as a
pledge until the payment OF the war in
demnity. After the Franco-Prussian war
the German forces thus held Belfort and
other French fortresses until the enor-
nous war indemnity of $1,000,000 600 had
been paid to Germany.
But disregarding these points of differ
ence it is becoming more evident that the
| interference OF European powers is a
stumbling block in the way of settle
nent OF the war through the mediat ton of
the United States, nearly all having in
terests in the East, which they regard as
paramount to our 0wD. An official who
has given much attention to the subject is
of the opinion that Russia will never con-
sent to anything which looks like an in
definite occupation of Korea by Japan,
unless she is herself allowed to take pos
session of portion in Korea for the east
ern terminus of the Siberian Railway.
France is reported to have demanded
coaiing station on the Island of Formosa,
and Great Britain has reached out for the
Island of Chusan.
The Star says there is growing impress
sion in diplomatic circles that the admin
istration has at least been premature, if,
indeed, il has not committed a grave diplo-
matte bunder, in its negotiations for a
settlement of the war between China and
Japan. This Government is on the friend
lest footing with both nations, and is gen.
orally supposed to b ave no preference for
either as against the other. 1t certainly
has no special interest in the issue of their
present contention. Yet without auy So
lici,ation on the part of one aud without
direct solicitation on the part of the other
ombatant it has undertaken to interrupt
the progress of their military operations
by an offer to mediate, and, what aggra-
Yates the case, it has been led to this
course of action at the instance of Euro
pean nations having direct interest in the
matter. England, France. Germany and
Russia are vitality concerned in the result
of the war, but the interests of the United
States are not likely to be affected by the
outcome one way or the other. This
country occupies the position of an en-
tirely neutral spectator. The Japanese
victories affect us no more than would
similar victories by the Chinese hosts, and
while there may be reasons why Euro
pean nations should interfere it Is
said that there are none that have
been advanced so far that justify
the United States in indicating that the
contest has gone far enough. and that the
time has come for cessation of hostili-
ties Japan has been uniformly victo-
rious in her engagement with the Ce-
lestials. and has attained supremacy that
practically enables her to dictate terms to
her adversary. The question has arisen
as to the right of the United States, an
entirely disin terested country, to intimate
that Japan shall 60 no further in her con-
quests, or that she shall be placed upon