Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1895-04-06

armiStice.
Confirmed by Japanese Legation.
Washington, March 29.-The news
that an unconditional armistice ha6
been declared by the emperor of Japan
was confiremed at the Japanese Legation
where IL was stated that a cablegram tt
THU effect had been received from the
home government. China made the
| offer of the armistice and the peace
plenipotentiaries Of Japan were empow
cred by the emperor to accept IL without
condition. This was done in view OF
the unexpected event" that has hap
pened, the attempted assassination OF
Ii Hung Chang. Tie armistice, Minis
ter E-nrino OF the Japanese legation SAID
will be effective until the peace negotia
tons are concluded. After a meeting OF
the peace ambassadors had been de
cided on China requested the declara.
ton Of an armistice, but this request
had not been acted upon favorably by
Japan.
His government. Minister Kurlno
said, had not been inclined to stop war.
like operations except on certain condi.
tons. These conditions are not known
but IL is suggested that probably the
occupation of Taku might have been
Japan's wish, as something of a guar.
anty OF the willingness and earnestness
of China for an amicable settlement of
the war. China evidently could not ar.
rive at a conclusion to agree to the
stipulations demanded by the Japanese,
and the attempt or the life OF the Chi
nese peace ambassador solved the prob
lem for the time being. and hostilities
Vii be suspended. There will be no
withdrawal OF the japanese troops from
Chinese territory. however.
The power Of the japanese govern
ment to execute the armistice will now
be put to a critical test. The military
power Of Japan, in the judgment of in
telligent observers, has outlived the civil
power during the war. This has caused
serious concern. as ii has been feared
that the military element, backed by the
war spirit among the people, would not
submit TO an armistice, ever II the civil
authorities ordered one. 70 meet this
emergency, a change of army command
ars was recently made. There had been
three army corps operating in different
campaigns. and each under a general of
supreme authority over his particular
campaign.
About three weeks ago., in anticipa-
ton of the armistlce. Primo Komatsu
was~created commander in chief over
all the armies. The purpose of this
step was to concentrate authority in
one man in close ouch with the impe-
Nr'al household. who could thus execute
an arrpistice by a simultaneous cessa-
ton Of histilities by the three armies.
Ii now remains TO be seen whether
Prince komatsu can execute the i'm
portant commission given him. The
splendid discipline shown by the army
during the war gives assurance that
there will be immediate asquiescencs
by the military, and yet Prince Ko-
matsu has TO contend against a war
spirit inflamed by many victories. 1t
has been said that an armistice would
be so unpopular among the people and
soldiery that 1t would assure the POI
litical retirement of Japan's two chief
statesmen-Count Ito and Viscount
Matsu-who have served as peace en-
voys.
The full text Of the cable received at
the japanese legation regarding the
armistice, is as follows: :
ION the opening OF negotiations he
Chinese plenipotentiary proposed an
armistice. which Japan vas willing to
accept on certain conditions. While
these negotiations were going on the
outward event happened on the person
of the Chinese plenipotentiary. His
majesty, the emperor. in view Of this
unhappy occurrence, commanded the
Japanese plenipotentiaries to consent
to a temporary armistice without CON
ditions. This was communicated to the
Chinese plenipotentiary."
The declaration Of the armistice was
most welcome news to the Chinese le-
cation, although II was accepted with
the stolidity and passive dignity which
is characteristic of the race. The first
word of the armistice reached the lega-
ion through the press. Mr.. Yang
Yu had received no official com.
munication from China. nor from the
state department. Under these cir
cumstances he asked to be excused
from discussing the situation. The
numerous suite OF ~elegation were evil
IDENTIFY glad that the tedious and dis
couraging struggle was at an end. All
feel, however, that the arrangement OF
the terms of peace will still be a diff
cult task. The feeling in the interior
Of China, where the direct effects of the
war have not been felt, is very strong
against a cession Of territory. Moreover
the payment Of a cash indemnity Will
necessitate the imposition Of a heavy
tax on the people and consequent de-
preston. These considerations, to.
gether with the direct loss and ravages
OF war, maxi the commercial revival
OF China so problematic that the Off.
Gals would not discuss 1t.