The herald., 1895-05-22
A NEW ERA IN THE ORIENT
The Peace Compact Likely to
Cause Complications
THE ATTITUDE OF EUROPE.
Exciting Events Are in Progress in
Japan
II Is Said That Russia and France Will Insist
Upon the Mikado Renouncing MAN.
churian Territory
As,ociated Press special wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
TOXIC, May 10, via Victoria, b. O.,
May 21.-History has moved with extra
ordinary rapidity during the past two
weeks. The newly established peace has
been endangered and complications OF iar
greater magnitude than ony produced by
the contest between China and Japan have
threatened to involve at least three Euro
pean powers i'll desperate struggle Tor
supremacy in Eastern ASA. For several
days the attitude of Japan Indicated
resolution to set tho enormous odds
against her at defiance Then. with sud-
dcnness which most watchful observers
are puzzled TO explain, the spirit OF resist
ance subsided and complete submission
was promised to the harsh demands OF the
hostile league. In spite of the avowed
willingness to yield TO superior force, ami
unlocked for delay on the part OF China
IN meeting her obligations wakened
fears of revived conflict between the
Asian empires. but at the last moment
this calamity was averted and no iurtner
apprehensions of war are entertained.
Much remains 20 be adjusted by diplo-
matte agencies and grave domestic uls-
sentions in Japan are more than possible.
but no resort to arms is anticipated in
any quarter.
Although most exciting events have
been in progress since the last week OF
April, the people OF Japan have to tn
day only vague suspicion OF their ma
turc. Nothing has been made public
and so Tar as l am aware only one Amer
ican journalist, tine correspondent OF the
Associated Press and the New York
World, has been permitted to share the
secrets of the government. What l am
about to relate will. therefore, be under
stood IS still unknown in this part OF the
world except to official and diplomatic
circles. An outline of the facts has been
freely sent abroad but the general COM
munity in Japan remains in utter ignor-
ance. -
As soon as the government was in
formed of the determination OF Russia,
Germany and France to forbid the ac-
QUESTION OF territory by the japanese on
the continent. majority of the cabinet
ministers assembled at kioto. to which
city the emperor had transferred his court
from Hiroshima, and measures were
taken to ascertain how far the menaces
OF the allies were seriously intended.
Communications originally handed to the
foreign office at Toxic were not couched
in peremptory language, but the manner
of their delivery plainly showed that if
lowed. compulsion would be applied with
very little delay.
Reports from the Japanese representa-
tives at European oapistals brought audi-
tiOnal proof that the powers were thor
oughIy in earnest. The Russian and
French governments were firm in their
declaration that Japan must renounce
Manchurian territory, while the tone
adopted by Germany was so 'intemperate
as to awaken the suspicion that she was
bent upon forcing quarrel with or with
out regard 10 the pretext set forth. Japan
next endeavored to gain the cooperation
OF Great Britain i'll opposing the league.
and there are grounds for believing that
if they had succeeded desperate resistance
would have been offered. But neither
England nor any oher grea. power could
be induced to take up arms on Japan
behalf. Kindly messages were received
from Italy to an extent of giving assur-
ance that if the United States would
offer mediation the southern European
kingdom would act in concert but it soon
appeared that Japan only had her own
resources to rely upon. When this was
fully realized the government straightway
decided to avoid further contest and de-
voted its energies to securing the best
terms OF accommodation.
This decision, however, was not divul.
ged to any one but the ministers in i'm
mediate attendance upon the sovereign.
Those who remained in Toxic, as we'll
as all subordinate officials. were left in
doubt as TO the contemplated purpose,
and most Of them rather gathered the
impression that a long and strong tussle
would take place before any sign of WELD
ing would be given. Until the expira-
tion of the armistice, or at least until the
ratifications of the treaty with China
were exchanged, Japan could not prop-
erlV he calla0 nnOp dppIara barcaIf
in the meantime dexterous diplomacy
might find many means OF improving the
Japanese position or weakening til at of
the confederates. That the ministers of
Kioto were busily engaged in this work,
every one hoped and believed. In point
OF fact however, nothing effective was
done in this direction. 1t is understood
thatialmost from the beginning the en-
peror's advisers were in favor OF submit
ting. with the solitary exception of Wis
count Matsu, who opposed his associates
with all the force he could command, but
whose distressing illness made it i'm
possible for him to assert his customary
influence. Not only the heads of most
of the civil departments. but the milit-
arv ana naval leaders agreed as TO the
futility OF resistance and the necessity of
speedy surrender. Their reasons for the
adoption of this remarkable course are
yet to be heard, but whatever the expla-
nations ne, II is certain that their coun-
trymen will not forgive them for what
will be denounced as sacrifice of the
national honor when the truth is uniyer-
sally known.
General Yamagata. head of the war
Office, was dispatched in haste tosManchu.
ria to notify the chiefs Of the armies
what was in store and to gather their
opinions as to the expediency of yielding
withoutsa struggle. His own mind was
ad r, hafnre IA sta
and he seems to have found little difficult
ty in converting most of the corps com
manders to his views. Some OF them.
however, are said to have objected siren
uousIy. General Nozu and Lieutenant
General Yalnaji went SO far. according to
report, as to assert that if the orders to
retire were sent them they would not
OBEY but would hold their ground to the