Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-28
THEY WORKED FOR PEACE
Part Taken by American Diplomats in the
East.
Succeeded In Bringing Ambassadors
From China and Japan Again To-
gether-War News by Mail.

Yokohama advices to March II arrived
at Victoria, B. c.. last evening by steam
ship Tacoma. They are:
The reasons why Japan Is for the first
time hopeful with regard to China's over
lures for peace can now be explained. By
means of indirect correspondence through
the legations of the United States in Toxic
and Pekin it was disclosed that the reluct-
ance of the Chinese Emperor to confer
full power upon an ambassador was caused
by his dread that Japanese conditions of
peace would be overwhelmingly oppressive
and that 1t therefore would be unsafe to au-
thorize any delegate to discuss them on his
own responsibility. With a genuine desire to
facilitate progress the japanese govern
ment decided, shortly after the departure
OF the unacceptable messengers, Chang and
Shao, to waive the point which they had
previously maintained with firmness. and
to relieve their adversary of his worst
approximations by communicating an outline
Of the terms to be exacted. This was done
also through the medium Of the American
legations, with the result that Ii Hung
Chang was Immediately designated to act
as ambassador, and the strongest assur-
ances were given Mr.. DENLY that on this
occ aston the credentials should be satisfac-
tory in every particular.
It is not understood that Japan's pur-
poses have been disclosed infinitely, but
enough has been impaired to show that
or imposition to burdens, and the details
| will remain open to discussion.
whether the Pekin government will or
Will not abuse the generosity of her con-
querors in thus clearing the path Of the
conquered has yet to be ascertained. The
representatives of the powers in both coun-
tries appear to be united In the belief that
peace is near at hand. The japanese min
lister of state is disposed to concur in this
opinion. though not, perhaps, with unQuah-
fed trust.
There are some features Of the Chinese
proceedings which are not calculated to
inspire complete confidence. Never before
has the Manchu court conferred authority
| to deal with such vital questions as are
row at issue upon an official Of Ii Hung
Changs standing upon one of pure
Chinese blood. Negotiations for peace with
foreign nations have always proved Elusive,
| unless conducted by a member Of the
reigning family. For a short time it was
given out that Prince Kung would be Sc
| lected to head the embassy, and his ap-
| pointment would certainly have better
suited the requirements Of the situation.
| 1t would be a serious matter to disavow
and discredit the sovereign's uncle, while
the viceroy of the Chilli provinces would
| court considered 1t expedient to thus dis
rose of him. The treatment he has under
gone In the past six months has afforded
a sample OF the evidence of the slight hold
ne has upon the imperial government.
Think His Ruin is Meant.
Not few Of his countrymen believe that
his mission to Japan is in pursuance of a
scheme for his utter ruin, and that how
ever his errand terminates he will be pro-
claimed faithless and doomed to death.
The majority think that so skilled an ex-
pert in laying tracks for victims is not
likely to be lured unawares to his own
destruction. It Is notorious fact that
since last September none Of the troops
gathered under his standard have taken
any part in the war. They are the best
drilled forces in China, but although re-
peatedly requested to join the armies in the
| leader but their patron, the viceroy. who
| keeps them distributed mainly in the adj
joining province of Shan Tung, always
| ready to respond to his summons II,
during his absence in Japan. his enemies
get the upper hand, he will still have the
means to execute q great coup, which in
| last extremity he Is believed to be capa-
BILE of.
Reports From Manchurfa.
Reports from the scene of military 40
tivity in Manchuria are still contradictory
but 1t Is ascertained that the capture Of
old New Chwang was effected by the army
| corps of Lieut.. Gen. Nozu, consisting Of the
| third and fifth divisions The former of
| these. on leaving Hal Chang, marched
| northward toward Lao Yang for about
twenty miles. and then turned back by an
other road leading to New Chwang. Out
side the walls Of the city their body was
Joined by the fifth division. and the place
was carried either on the 4th 9Th Of
March. On the 7th Gen. Yamaji marched
into Ying Kow Called New Chwang by it's
foreign residents) with the first division,
and took possession with scarcely a show
of opposition. Guards were posted around
the alien quarter and arrangements were
made for complete protection of foreigners.
Two days later brigade Of the third d.
vision Joined the first in an assault upon
Ting Chwang Tai. heavy fortified camp
on the western bank Of the Lao river. to
| which all the defeated Chinese troops had
fed. After a battle lasting from am.
till 1890, the defenders were driven out,
leaving 1900 dead behind them. The Jap
anese lost ninety-eight, killed and wound
ed. Immense stores of war material were
seized. Lieut. Gen. Nozu has been pro-
tod To the roralc Of old hol