Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-05-03
CAN'T BLUFF JAPAN
If China Doesn't Accept Peace
Terms War Will Begin.
MlKAD0' POSITION is TRYING
Minister kurino Hints at Assistance by
the United States Against
Russia and France.

London, April 26.-Direct and positive
Information from official sources is at |
hand concerning the exact negotiations |
between Russia, France and Germany |
on one hand and Japan ON the other. |
The Russian, French and German min |
listers separately interviewed the Japan
csc minister of foreign affairs under in
structions from their respective govern
ments and presented memorandums in
which it was stated that the govern
ments of Russia, France and Germany,
upon examining the terms of peace inn
posed by Japan upon China. have found
that the possession of the peninsula of
| Lao Tung, claimed by Japan, would
| be Il constant menace to the capital of
| China and at the same time would
threaten the independence of Corea,
and render it non-effectual in fact. In
this sense and for other reasons, 1t
| would be, it was stated, a constant
menace to the permanent peace of the
far east. Consequently the governments
| of France Russia and Germany, desir-
ing to show their sincere friendship for
the government of Japan, advises 1t to
renounce the absolute and final posses
sion of the peninsula of Lao Tung. The
| memoranda of the three governments
make it plain that they We're presented
in the way of friendly advice to the
Japanese government and are not in
tended in any way to convey any open
or covert menace.
) The impression is gaining ground thai
Japan can rely upon the friendly coun
sci of the United States at the present
moment The governments of Grea
, | Britain and Italy have made it plair
Y that they do not intend TO follow thu
= example of Russia, France and Ger
- many, and the great commercial inter
t ests of the United States in the far cas-
$ which the Chinese treaty o
d peace would largely benefit. no less tina
i the constant attitude of the Unite
d States toward Japan, lead diplomats t
h | believe that the United States at thi
1t juncture will not fail to make use of il
If good offices in such a manner as wi
r prevent Japan from being deprived {
s. the fruits of her victory.
m The treaty of peace has already bee
,e ratified by the emperor of Japan and
az would be extremely difficult to mai
t. any change. The only effect of Russ
,e France and Germany's attitude mu
g. be to encourage the party in Chin
g which is opposed to any moderate ar
40 reasonable settlement and thus to pr
long the war indefinitely. 1t may
stated in the most positive terms tn
IT the representations thus far circulate
regarding Japan's reply to the powe
ed are not correct. The reply had not be-
sent as late as the evening of the 16
I'D and from limitations received from t
*. highest and most reliable sources.
ay may be stated that the reply, while &C
he cilatory in tone, will not contain a
ar recession from what Japan regards
in rightfully her due.
ny A TRYING POSITION.
lite Yokohama, April 26.-The dema
us made by Russia, France and Germa
in that Japan refrain from annexing I
in Lao Tung peninsula Is expected to
raj the self-restraint of the Japanese
pc ton very severely. The governm,
ill will find it difficult If not impossible
comply without great risk of trout
n" The present situation is viewed W
ar much apprehension. At the same ii
he it is believed that the government '
Try be compelled to do its utmost to m
in the European views.