The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-09
Several Bodies of Them May
Be Ordered to China on
Short Notice.
CHINA Is TOO SUBMISSIVE
NEGOTIATIONS for Peace Now Believed
to Be in Progress at
Shimonoseki.

peace is still confidently expected by the
Japanese Government, although the belief
is not so unqualifedly declared as it was
ten days ago. At that time the conviction
of the Ministers of State was so positive that
the activity in military circles was mate
rally relaxed, and the departure of several
bodies of troops previously ordered to
China was delayed until the outlook
should become clearer. Now these troops
are again held in readiness for an imme-
date start, and the War Department has
resumed it's accustomed activity. 1t does
not appear, however, that anything sub
stantial has happened to change the stu
alton.
The anticipations were probably little
more hopeful than the circumstances war
ranted, and the position is now more
soberly regarded. Count Ito and Viscount
Mutsu, whose opinions are of the first i'm
portance, are strongly convinced that
China earnestly desires to close the war at
once.
The question of the ambassadors Gre
dentials has been satisfactorily settled, so
far as their form and phraseology goes. If
anything is now lacking in the power con-
liberate intent to deceive, and it is deemed
incredible that the Chinese Government
should invite further disasters by
needlessly irritating their antagonist
at this stage of affairs. 1t is true
that the unconditional and almost
abject submission of the Picking
rulers, their open avowal that they have
been to blame. and the promptness with
which they yield to every preliminary sug-
gestion from japan have aroused a certain
amount of distrust, but not sufficient to
impair the faith of Ito and Mutsu in the
validity of LIS mission. Even the fact
that his rank is below the grade which
China has hitherto considered requisite
for a full plenipotentiary is not brought
forward to his detriment. 1t is understood
that he has the unqualified support of
Prince Kung, who, as president of the
Tsung-li- Yamen, has exerted all his inhu-
ence in favor of peace, and has persuaded
the court to restore all the titles and
dignities of which the Viceroy had been
deprived.
The embassy is expected to each Bakau
(as Shimonoseki is now officially namely
on March 10. If no unlooked-for OBJ
opened on the 21st.
Prince Komatsu, Chief of the Imperial
Staff, has been appointed Commander-in-
Chief Of the Japanese forces in China and
ordered to proceed to Port Arthur. AS a
considerable part of the staff now at Hir-
oshima goes with him, this step is regarded
by many as preliminary to the Emperor's
progress to China.
Important changes have taken place in
the Japanese Ministry. Mr.. Watanake
gives up the portfolio of Finance owing, it
is said, to difference of opinion with the
Prime Minister, Count Ito, with respect to
the methods of supplying pecuniary aid to
Korea. Count Matsugata, who has filled
various Cabinet offices including those of
rhine Minister and Minister of Finance,
will succeed Watanake. who will be trans
ferred to the Dep rtment of Communica-
tions. Count Kuroda vacates the last
named department and is nominated
President of Privy Council.
AT the urgent appeal of Prince Kung
the Emperor of China has caused an edict
to be circulated throughout his armies an
nouncing that hereafter officers shall not
suffer death as a punishment for losing
battles, but shall be given opportunities
for regaining the sovereign's favor. If,
however, it is proved that on retreating
they devastate the regions through which
they pass, or maltreat the people, their
heads will be forfeited
Prince Kung has further distinguished
himself by submitting a memorial in
which the calamities of China are attrib-
uted to her own errors of government and
to the faulty with which she has remained
blind to the progress of other nations.
Viscount Inouye, recently Japanese
Minister of Public Instruction, died March
16 after long illness.
The Empress of Japan left Toxic March
II to join the Emperor at Hiroshima.