The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-28
FOR PEACE.
Good Reasons Why the War
Will Soon Be Over.
China Has Heretofore Been Afraid
That Japan Wanted the Earth.

VICTORIA, Is. c., March 2s.-Yokohama
adyices to March IL, arrived last evening
by steamship, Tacoma, say:
| The reasons why japan is for the first
time hopeful with regard to China's over
lures for peace can now be explained. By
means OF indirect correspondence through
the legations OF the United States in
| Toxic and Pekin, it was discovered that
the reluctance of the Chinese Emperor
| TO confer full power upon an
Ambassador was caused by his dread that
Japanese conditions Of peace would be
overwhelmingly oppressive and that it
would therefore be unsafe to authorize
any delegate to discuss them on his own
responsibility. With a genuine desire to
facilitate progress the Japanese govern
ment decided shortly after the departure OF
the unacceptable messengers, Chang and
Shao, to waive the point which they had
previously maintained with firmpess and
to relieve their adversary OF his worst APP
prehension by communicating an outline
| OF the terms to be exacted. This was done
also through the medium OF American lega-
| tions with the result tina. Ii Hung Chang
was Immediately delegated to act as am
bassador and the strongest assurances
were given by Mr.. DENLY that on this
occasion the credentials should be salts
factory in every particular, Enough has
been impaired to show that China need
not fear absolute degradation or imposi-
tion of burdens, and details will remain
| open in the discussion.
4 har he Dal
will not abuse the generosity OF her con-
querer in the house, tearing the path
| of the conquered, has yet to be ascertained.
The rep Ssentatives OF foreign powers in
both countries appear to be united in the
belief that peace is near at hand.
| The japanese Minister OF State is
disposed to concur in this opinion,
though not, perhaps, with unqualified
trust. There are some features OF the
Chinese proceedings which are not calcu-
lated to inspire complete confidence.
Never before has the Msnchuria
Court conferred authority to deal
with such vital questions as
are now at issue upon an official OF
Ii Hung Chapg's standing, or upon one
OF pure Chinese blood. Negotiations for
peace with foreign nations have always
proved Elusive unless conducted by a
member of the reigning family. For
short time it was given out that
Prince Kung would certainly be Sc
lected TO lead the embassy, and
his appointment would certainly
have better met the requirements of the
situation. 1t would be seriousquestion
10 disavow the sovereign's uncle, whereas
the Viceroy Of the Chilli provinces would
lose his head at a moments notice, IL the
Emperor considered it expedient to thus
dispose of him. The treatment he has
undergone in the past SIX months
has afforded a sample of the slight hold
he has upon the imperial good will. Not
few of his countrymen believe that his
mission to japan is in pursuance of a
scheme for his utter ruin, and that how
ever his errand terminates he will be pro-
claimed faithless and doomed to
death. The majority think that
so skilled an expert in lay
ing traps for victims is not likely to
be lured unawsres to his own destruction.
| 1t is a notorious fact that since last
! September none OF the troops gathered
under his standard has taken any part IN
the war. They are the bes. drilled forces in
China, but although repeatedly requested
to join the army in the field they bave
refused to listen to any leader bat their
| patron viceroy, who keeps hem distri-
buted mainly in the adjoining province of
Shan Tung, always ready to respond 10 his
summons. IL, during his absence in
Japan, his enemies get the upper hand,
he will still have the means to execute
a great coup.
Reports from the scene of military ac-
tivi;y in Mauchuria are still contradic-
tory, but it is asserted that the capture OF
| Old New Chwang was affected by the
| army corps OF Lieutenant General Nodzu,
consisting of the third and fifth divis-
| ions. The former of these, on leaving
Hal Chang, marched northward toward
Lao Ysng for about 20 miles and then
turned back by another road leading to
New Chwang. Outside the walls OF the
city this body was joined by the fifth
division and the place was carried either
on the 4th or 9Th OF March. On the 9TH,
| General Yamaji marched into
Wing Kow (called New Chwang
| by its foreign residents) with
the first division and took posses
sion with scarcely show OF opposition.
Guards were posted around the alien
| quarter and arrangements we're made for
complete protection OF foreigners. Two
days later a brigade OF the third division
| Joined he first in an assault upon Ting
Chapg Tai, heavily fortified camp on
the west bank OF the Lao River, to which
all the defeated Chinese troops had fled.
After a battle, lasting from q. m. till
1880, the defenders were driven out.
leaving 1000 dead behind them. The
| Japanese had 9s killed and wounded,
| immense stores were seized. Lieutenant
General Nodzu has been promoted to the
| rank Of field marshal.