The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-04-13
PEACE NOW IN sight.
The Peace Commissioners Have
Reached an Agreement.
AS VIEWED BY MINISTER KURINo.

Jspan's Representative at Washington Be-
IIeves That the Final Declaration of
Peace viii be Reached Within the Next
Week.
WASHINGTON, April 13.-Official adviccs
received at the japanese legation from
Japan indicate that an understanding has
been reached between the japanese and
Chinese plenipotentiarles, 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 plenipotentiary for
mn abatement Of the demands originally
made by them the Japanese plenipoten-
tiaries have granted some concessions.
Brief as the official message is 1t marks
the close of the China Japan war, barring
the possibility, Of course, Of some unex-
pccted hitch at the last moment
Minister Kurino, of Japan, said concern
ing the official cable from Tolzio
"Jhe cablcgram is quite brief and does
not recite the terms, nor does 1t say that
peace as yet has actually been reached be-
tween the ENJOYS by which peace seems
assured. l have no doubt from this that
we will have treaty peace within a few
days. 1t undoubtedly will be concluded
, within the next seven days, as the armis
tice expires at the end of that time Should
1t not be arranged by that time there prob
ably would be no difficulty in continuing
truce now that peace understanding
has been definitely reached
There may he some delay in arranging
the details OF the new Japan China treaty,
r.fe t.Kt
tcrests 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 Japan's new treaties with the
United States Great Britain and-Uther
countries, all of which contain the favored
nation clause, it will no longer be possible
to give China the 8 per cent. rate"
Mr.. Kurino said that in the absence of
definite word from his government as to
the terms of the peace understanding he
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 tho
independence of Corea us settled. This
would leave the question of indemnity, of
Port Arthur's occupation and of future
treaty arrangements as the subjects on
which the Japanese plenipotentiaries may
have granted some concessions. These
concessions may apply to one or the other
of the three terms. or to all of them.
The minister is hardly prepared to be-
lieye that there will be no occupation of
Port Arthur. 1t is possible that a term of
years may be conceded instead of n per-
manent occupation, or else that the extent
of the surrounding territory may be more
restricted than was first contemplated.
Mr.. Kurlno takes q conservative view of
the conclusion of peace. He shares the
feeling of his countrymcn that Japan had
won the right to expect much as the price
of peace The minister communicated the
information from Japan to the state de-
partment during the day. 1t was after
the cabinet meeting, however, and Seere-
tary Gresham did not communicate the
news to his cabinet colleagues. Later In
the day President Cleveland was in
formed