The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-01-26
Its Capture by the Japanese Is
Now a Certainty
ARE MAKING PREPARATIONS
China's Peace Intentions gain y Matter
OF Doubt-A Sensational I'm
rial r. script.

Toxic. Japan, Jan. S. per steasssssr
Peru, via San Francisco, Jan. 22.)a-rhe
only change in the diplomatic situation
since last advices is the announcement
that Chang Ying Hwan, China's ac-
credited agent is actually on the way
to Japan. He has been minister to the
United States, Spain and Peru, and may
be supposed to fairly understand the
responsibilities of his new position.
Shao Yu Lien is now at Shanghai await
ing his chief, who is reported to have
started from Pekin a week ago If it is
found that these ENJOYS are authorized
to negotiate seriously some progress
may be made toward defining terms of
peace.
The capture Of Wei-Hai-W Wei, now re-
garded as a foregOne conclusion, may,
however, again alter the aspect of af-
fairs. Chinese dignitaries move slowly
in their own country and it is anticipat-
ed that Japan viii have occupied the
naval station near Chez Foo before the
suitors for peace are ready to leave
their own country. The present inten-
ton is that the conferences shall be
held at Hiroshima. The fact that Mr.
Foster will accompany the Chinese en-
voys in the capacity of legal adviser
does not change the opinion of the jap
anese with respect to sincerity of Chi
mas intention. Rulers of the middle
kingdom are as capable of driving their
friends as enemies if they think it ex-
pedient and it is no more certain that
they will fully trust their employees now
than it was in Gordon's time. The pres
ence of Foster can not be taken as a
positive guarantee Of earnestness of the
Chinese side.
TO. BESIEGE WEI-HAT-wEI.
The Japanese troops in Lao Tung
peninsula are actively preparing for an
important expedition and it is assumed
on all sides that Wei-Hai- Wei will be
the object of attack The military
force gathered for this purpose is of
sbout the same strength as that which
conquered Talien and Port Arthur.
Reports from Wei Hai-Wei state that
$4,000 Chinese are posted in or near the
Notifications. Two foreigners, an Eng
lishman and a German whose names
are not published, are said to be super
intending the defensive operations. The
fleet in the harbor has been increased
and it is believed that 10 ships of war
and II torpedo boats are anchored there.
Won Hanneken's scheme, for reorgan-
izing the Chinese army and providing
at short notice trustworthy force for
the defense of Pelkin, has been laid
aside by order of the Tsung Ii Yamen
The reason publicly given for the aban-
'donment Of it is alleged depletion of
the treasury.
SENSATIONAL. RESCRIPT.
Foreign newspapers of Shanghai con-
tain translations of an alleged imperial
rescript. so extraordinary in character
that its authenticity is scarcely credit
ed, although it appears to have been
given publicity through regular chan
nels. It's tone and purpoFt may be
judged from the following extract:
"The Japanese have gained victory
after victory and despoiTed our terri
tory, until our august ancestors in their
sacred graves are disturbed This is
because we who rule the empire are I'M
worthy and deficient in virtue and have
entrusted the defense of the state to
unfit servants IF, however, it is our
destiny to suffer the worst evils and
to witness the deh1ement and destruc-
ton Of reverned affairs there remains
nothing but for us to perish"
1t is rumored that this edict was
privately circulated in the palace De-
cember last and became known to
the outer world through treachery. But
the genuineness of the remarkable doc
ument needs no further attestation.
The ransom paid for the release Of
Nine. Challeot and her daughter from
the Chinese pirates was about 100000.