The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-05-06
FOBLIGIInS m DlTGT2
The Notorious Black flags Ct
China Again Threatening.
JAPAN WILL YIELD TO THBPowGRs

willing to Give Up All Claims 20 the
Island of Tormosa on the Payment of a
Larger Indemnity-No Hope of Reform
in China.
LONDON, May G-The Times has a dis
patch from Pckin saying the fact that the
emperor has ratified the treaty of peace
with Japan is known TO only few Chi
nese. No edict in regard TO the matter has
been issued, Prince Kung, president Of
the Tsung-Li-Y Yamen, urged the emperor
to ratify the treaty Many Chinese would
have preferred that the japanese reach
Pekin before the peace conditions were
agreed to, as the Chinese government
would then have been compelled to in
itlate reforms, Whereas under the present
circumstances, there is small chance Of
any reforms being made.
A Hong Kong dispatch to The Times
states that the governor of Formosa says
that its cession to the japanese will pro-
duce rebellion. He declares that he has
lost all control of the soldiers, and foreign
ers must save themselves The leader of
the Black Flags has appealed to his men
to carry out his original orders to prevent
the Japanese from landing on the island
PIacards written by the literati have been
posted in conspicuous places and oircu-
lated among the people, calling upon them
to resist the japanese and saying that if
the island is to be ceded to any nation they
prefer that it should be given to Great
Britain.
The Black Flags are predatory, irregu
lar forces They are not on China's pay,
though sometimes she has a little author
| iEV tha1,, a.
| sion. They depend upon it for bread, and
they raid and rob Chinese and others in
| discriminatory. They have no law but the
commands of their leaders. They are much
bolder and more warlike than the average
Chinaman, and have little fear of death.
The French were greatly troubled by them
| in Tonquin.
1t is said if the Chinese can turn the
Black Flags upon any specially hated
| enemy they consider it great stroke OF
enterprise. 1t is also said that when the
French, during the Tonquin campaign,
sent an officer to Tientsin to complain to
Viceroy Lii Hung Chang against the out
RACES of the Black Flags, and to demand
that he secure their punishment, the vice
roy said that he had no more control over
them than the French had; they were
|
| China would be delighted if the French
caught them and beheaded them.
A dispatch from Paris says The Temps
has telegram from St. Petersburg stat.
ing that Japan has replied to the friendly
protest of Russia, Germany and France.
Japan agrees to renounce possession of
the Liao-Tung peninsula, but says she will
retain Port Arthur. This compromise
leaves intact all the dangers that the pow
ers wished to avoid. Fresh representations
have been made to Japan, and the negotia-
tions are actively proceeding Japan will
probably yield Port Arthur, though de-
manding to hold the place temporarily,
which the powers will concede.
A Berlin dispatch says that nothing has
occurred to diminish the hope of an annie.
able settlement of the trouble in connec
tion with the Chinese-Japanese peace
treaty, though it would be difficult to say
upon what basis it will be. 1t is probable
that the compensation to Japan for fore
going possession of the Liao Tung penin
sula will be the payment by China of al
increased indemnity.