Omaha daily bee., 1895-03-03
SENT THEW HOME IN A HURRY.
Documents Concerning the Late Abortiv
Peace Negotiations Pub lshed.

Documents Concerning the Late Abortive
Peace Negotiations Published.
TOXIC, Japan, Feb. 1S.-(Per steamship
City Of Pelking, via San Francisco, March 2.)
, The Japanese government has published
series of documents exposing the pretenses
Of the Chinese peace ENJOYS and explaining
: the attitude and action Of the commission
ers appointed to receive them. The first
paper Of importance is the decree appoint
ing Count Ito and Viscount Mituo as repre-
sentatves of the emperor of Japan and in
vesting them with full power, in strict ac
cordance with the usage of civilized nations
Following this is the mandate of the en-
peror of China to his agents, Chang and
Shao. which submitted at Hiroshima
in evidence of the position held by these
functionares, and which, after reciting the
names and offices OF the messengers, pro-
ceeds thus:
"You are appointed plenpotentlares in
Japan. You will communicate by telegraph
with the Tsung-li-Yamen, and will then re-
ceive our commands, which you will obey.
The officials which accompany you are un-
der your control Be diligent and faithful
In fulfllment Of our trust. Respect this as
our special command"
1t has been recorded that on discovering
the imperfect character of the Chinese Gre
dentias the Japanese commissioner called a
meeting, at which the visitors were informed
that no negotiations could be permitted on
the uncertain basis OF their instructions The
address delivered TO them by Count Ito Is in
cluded In the papers now going forth 1t dis
claims all responsibility on the part of the
Japanese for the awkward position Of affairs
and expresses regret that China should hava
pursued a course which, though not unpre-
cedented In her history, is disapproved by the
great body Of nations. Count Ito refers T.
the numerous occasions on which China has
repudiated the acts Of her diplomatic agents
80
violations OF good faith. II had been stipulated
that no embassy would be received al
Hiroschma, unless provided with complete
authorization to arrange the terms OF peace
The Chinese government had promised abso
lutte compliance with Japan's demand ant
given positive assurance that the ambassa
doris held full powers. Notwithstanding thi
pledge the imperial letter Of instruction con
ferred no power whatever. except that of re
porting to the Tslng -ll-Yamen what th
Japanese statesmen might say. Under thes
circumstances IL would bo impossible Il
enter into negotiations. But II China shoult
hereafter provo her sincere desire for peac
by doputing responsible officials and invest
ing them with genuine authority the ques
tion might be reopened,
JAPAN STOOD PAT.
Having spoken in this spirit at som
length. Count Ito delivered to the envoys
memorandum--the last Of the document
atltHiiOn W tHe
ness with which Japan had insisted, throue
the ministers Of the United States in Tuki
ana Peking, that the embassy should hav
ample powers, to the obvious inadequac
+ TO the credentials brought by Chang an
Shao, and to the imposslblllty of holdIn
conferences with agents destitute of tn
first requisite OF their assumed position.
The Chinese party, including Mr.. Foster
sailed from Nagasaki for China ON Februar
IL by French mail steamer. The eutic
patton that negotiations will soon be RI
d. opened in earnest appears to be justified frs
by the circumstances that the American at
wiser continues In Chna's service ami sti
more strongly in the crushing defeat
= Wei-Hai-Wei.
The empress OF Japan has ordered tAat al
tihcial arms and legs be supplied at he
expense to all soldiers who lose their men
bers either In battle or through e&posuI
to frosts Chinese prisoners brought to il
pan who have similarly suffered are Ii
cluded in her bounty.
In consequence OF urgent representation
by Count Inonye. the Korean governniel
has ordered the abolition OF all forms
torture and proclaimed that hanging sha
iin, hereafter be the sole method NJ capital rYi
tshment for ordinary criminals. ana shcotiI
for those condemned by martial law.
o The two American adventurers Wilde an
Howie who pledged what they called the
honor that they would not proceed 10 Chi
In fulfllment OF their engagement TO supp
materials for the destruction OF the Japano
navy and were released from jan by Il