The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-04-13
PEACE NOW IN SIGHT.
The Peace Commissioners Have
Reached an Agreement,
AS VIEWED BY MINISTER KURIN0.

Japan's Representative at Washington BE
lieves That the Final Declaration of
Peace VIII be Reached Within the Next
Week,
WASHINGTON, April 13-Ohicial advices
received at the japanese legation from
Japan indicate that an understanding has
been reached between the japanese and
Chinese plenipotentiaries, and that the
news of the definite conclusion of peace
may be expected at any time.
The exact terms of peace cannot as yet
be ascertained but it is understood that,
in response to the urgent and repeated re-
quests of the Chinese plenipotentiury for
an abatement of the demands originally
made by them, the Japanese plenlpoten-
tiaries have granted some concessions.
Brief as the official message is it marks
the close of the China-Japan war, barring
the possibility, OF course, Of some uneX-
pected hitch at the last moment.
Minister Kurino, of Japan, said concern
ing the official cable from Toxic:
"The cablegram is quite brief and does
not recite the terms, nor does it say that
peace as yet has actually been reached be-
tween the ENJOYS by which peace seems
assured. l have no doubt from this THAI
we will have a treaty of peace within a few
days. 1t undoubtedly will be concluded
within the nexO seven days, as the armis-
tice expires at the end of that time. Should
it not be arranged by that time there prob
ably would be no difficulty in continuing
a truce now tAat a peace understanding
J has been definitely reached.
''There may be some delay in arranging
the details OF the new Japan China treaty,
/ as it will cover all of the commercial in
terests of the two countries. One OF the
most essential items will be THAT Of the
tariff. Heretofore the Japanese duty has
been per cent. on Chinese goods, and un-
der the favored nation clause all other
countries were entitled to the same rate
| But with Japans new treaties with the
| United States Great Britain and OF
countries, all of which contain the favored
nation clause, it will no longer be possible
to give China the per cent. rate"
| Mr.. Kurino said chat in the absence ol
definite word from his government as &c
| the terms of the peace understanding ht
did not wish to speculate on terms. He
regarded it as settled, however, that the
Island of Formosa would be permanently
| ceded to Japan. He also considered the
| independence of COrea as settled. rms
would leave the question of indemnity, Of
| Port Arthur's occupation and Of future
treaty arrangements as the subjects OIL
which the Japanese plepipotentiarles may
have granted some concessions. Thes'
concessions may apply to one or the othel
Of the three terms, or to all of them.
The minister is hardly prepared to be
lieve that there will be no occupation o
Port Arthur 1t is possible that term o
years may be conceded instead of per
manent occupation, or else that the exten
of the surrounding territory may be NOR
restricted than was first contemplated.
Mr. Kurino takes a conservative view o
the conclusion of peace. He shares th
feeling of his countrymen that Japan ha'
won the right to expect much as the pric
of peace. The minister communicated tn
information from Japan to the state dc
partment during the day 1t was afte
the cabinet meeting, however, and Secre
tary Gresham did not communicate tn
news TO his cabinet colleagues. Later il
the day President Cleveland was in
| formed.