New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-10
THIS GOVERNMENT AND THE WAR.


ITS ATTITUDE ONE OF FRIENDLY NEUTRALITY
TO BOTH BELLIGERENTs
Washington. May 9-Appendix No. of papers
regarding the foreign relations OF the Cnted states
was given 10 the press to-day IL contains mucn IN
teresng matter. most OF which has been puDlisheh
and JOG pages OF entirely new material, so far as
the public is concerned re.ating 10 the war between
China and Japan. That part relating TO the action
Of the United States when asked 10 use its good
Offices TO secure the withdrawal OF Japanese troops
from Corea and thus prevent war shows con-
clusively the position taken by this Government.
On July 5 Ye Sung 500. the Minister Resident OF
Corea In Washington. handed this telegram 10 MI.
Gresham sent to him from Seoul;
The foreign representatives at Seoul have had
meeting. The Japanese Minister declines to with,
draw Japanese troops Please ask lhe fresluehl OF
the United States TO adjust the dlihcuity.
China also asked the Intervention OF the United
States on July Z. through Mr.. DENLY. our Charge
dAffares at Picking:
cave the initiative urging Powers to unite In re-
quest to Japan to withdraw troops from Corea-
Other dispatches OF this nature were received ana
their purport and the position Of this Government
are fully given in long dispatch addressed py MI
Gresham on July 20. 1884, to Mr.. Bayard
IT informed the Corean Minister" says the Sec
retary that while the United States sympathized
with his Government and desired 10 see sovereignty
respected. must maintain toward IL ana uhe
other Powers an attitude Of impartial neutrality;
IN friendly way. and that In no event could we
intervene Jointly with other Powers.
The most Interesting phase OF the situation dld
not begin until three months later. On October 8.
1884, Mr.. Goschen Charge of the British Embassy
IN Washington, asked in the name OF mis- Govern
rnent whether the United States would join Eng
land Germany. France and Russia In Intervening
between China and Japan. THE basis OF such in
tervention," Mr. Goschen said "woud be that the
independence Of Corea should be guaranteed by the
Powers and that Japan should receive indemnity
for the expense Of war" Replying on October u.
Mr. Gresham says that while the President ear
nestly desires that China and Japan shall speedily
agree upon terms OF peace alike honorable TO both
and not humiliating to Corea he cannot join Eng
land, etc. in an intervention. requested" And
In his answer Mr.. Goschen informs Mr. Gresham
that he IL nov instructed call your attention
to the fact that the intervention contemplated would
be limited TO diplomatic action and would take pace
In the event OF suitable opportunity presenting IT.
self for the adoption OF such course
Whether not this Of Great Britain sug-
does not appear. but on November Mr.. Gresham
sent this telegram to Mr.. DENLY at Peking:
Prompted by that sincere friendship which the
United States constantly desire 10 snow toward
China, the Presiden: directs that you intimate his
readiness TO tender his good Offices toward bringing
the present war with Japan 10 a close terms
alike honorable TO both nations should ne be assured
that such tender would be acceptable to both
On the same day MI. Gresham also telegraphed
to Mr.. Dun at Toxic In language somewhat similar
Just after these dispatches were sent. Mr. Gresham