The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-08-08
A VIGOROUS PROTEST
Japan Not Willing to Accede
to the Powers Demand.
WILL ENDEAvOR TO HOLD ON
Forced Evacuation of the Lao Tung
Peninsula May Result in War
"A Diplomatic View.

Washington, August 3.-The diplo-
matte corps in Washington is watching
with much interest at present the set
Element of the question of the evacua-
tion of Port Arthur in accordance with
the demand which Russia, France and
Germany are reported to have made
upon the japanese to evacuate the en-
tire Liao Tung peninsula without ref
erence to China's fulfllment of her
part of the Shimonoseki treaty obliga-
tions. 1t is made quite clear at the
japanese legation here that Japan will
not accede to this demand, if really
made, without vigorous protest.
Japan, said an official of the le-
cation in discussing the contingency
today, will fight before she will yield
the advantage she has in the penin-
sula, without full settlement of the
indemnity awarded her for the surren-
der of the concession. It is too import
ant lever to let go of, simply because
it may suit Russia's purpose to ask it.
1t is our understanding here that the
evacuation is to depend upon the pay
ment of the indemnity. Japan GER
tainly regarded the matter in that light
when the treaty was amended at the
instance of the European powers. 1t
may be claimed that the question is
no longer between China and Japan,
but rather one between Japan and the
European countries interested in the
settlement. But this position is not
tenahle. 1t is China to which Japan
must look for the money she is to re-
ceive, and it is Chinese territory that
is involved in the controversy; and if
it is matter of keeping faith with the
European powers, let them make good
the indemnity if they do not want Ja-
pan to continue at Port Arthur
The representatives here of the Mi
kado's government are evidently not
impressed with the belief that France
over this settlement as has been repre-
sented. Diplomats, generally, also
find it hard to realize that Russia
should be SO much in earnest in press
ing Japan to the wall in these matters
as she is reported to be. They say that
having gained every advantage sought,
Russia would naturally be expected
now to press her claims in a way not
to further wound the feelings of the
japanese.
Russia" said member of the
diplomatic corps, 'thas succeeded in :
preventing Japan's getting any foot
hold whatever in the Asiatic continent,
and it is evident from recent accounts
that Europe is reaping diplomatic
harvest in Corea to which Japan is en-
titled. It has always been Russia's
policy to treat a conquered nation SO
leniently as to soon Russianize them.
Why she should not treat Japan as
literally and make the Pacific island
her actual, as she is her natural, ally,
passes my comprehension.
There is good reasons for believing
the japanese are taking every oppor-
tunity to impress upon the Russians
the advantage to them of friendly CO.
operation between the two countries in
the Eastern Pacific. Whether this is
to be done with a view Of Japan con-
tinuing to hold Port Arthur, notwith-
standing the existence of the treaty, is
not SO clear, but there are some who
interpret the Japanese tactics to mean
this. It seems clear, at any rate, from
all that can be learned here, that ia
pan will hold on to the footing she
now occupies on Chinese soil until the
indemnity is paid or until she is driven
out by more formidable display than
can be made in a diplomatic confer
ence.