Connecticut western news., 1895-04-04
FIGHTING STOPS.
JAPAN CONSENTS VOLUNTARILY TO
 GRANT AN ARMlSTlCE.

In Order to Make Amends For the At
 tempted Assassinstion of Il Hung Chang
 the Mikado VIII Cease HostiIities Until
 the Peace Negotiations Are Ended. an unconditional armistice had been de- clared by the emperor of Japan was con- frmed at the Japanese legation here. where 1t was stated that a cablegram to this effect had been received from the home government.
 China made the offer of the armistice. and the peace plenipotentiary of Japan was empowered by the emperor to accept it without condition. This was done in view of the unexpected event" that hap pened-viZ. the attempted assassination of Lii Hung Chang.
 The armistice, Minister Kurino of the Japanese legation said, will be in effect till the peace negotiations are concluded. Aft CT a meeting of the Ieace ambassadors had ~been decided on China requested the dec- laration of an armistice, but this request had not been acted upon favorably by Ja- pan. His government, Minister Kurino said, had not been inclined to stop warlike operations except on certain conditions
 These conditions are not known, but 1t Is suggested that probably the occupation of Taku might have been one, Japan wish ing something as a guarantee of the will ingness and earnestness of the Chinese for an amicable settlement of the war.
 China evidently could not arrive at a conclusion to agree to the stipulations de- manded by Japan. and the attempt on the life of the Chinese peace ambassador solved the problem for the time being, and hostilities will be suspended. There will be no withdrawal of the Japanese troops from Chinese territory. however.
 Can the Armistioe Be Enforced9
 The power of the Japanese government to execute the armistice will now be put to critical test. The military power of Japan, in the judgment of intelligent ob- servers, has almost outstripped the civil power during the war. This has caused serious concern, as it has been feared that the military element, backed by the war spirit among the people, would not submit to an armistice even if the civil authori- ties ordered one.
 To meet this emergency a change of ar my commanders was recently made. There had been three army corps, operating in different campaigns. and each under a general of supreme authority over his par ticular campaign.
 About three weeks ago, in anticipation of the armistice, Prince Komatsee was created commander-in-chief over all the armies. The purpose of this step was to concentrate all the authority in one man in close touch with the imperial house. hold, who could thus execute an armistice by simultaneous cessation of hostilities by the three armies.
 It now remains to be seen whether Prince Komatsee can execute the inn portant commission given to him. The splendid discipline shown by the army during the war gives assurance that there will be immediate acquiescence by the military, and yet Prince Komatsee has to contend himself against war spirit in famed by many victories
 It has been said that an armistice would be so unpopular among the people and soldiery that it would assure the political retirement of Japan's two chief states men-Count Ito and Viscount Mutsu- who have served as peace envoys.
 The full text of the cable received at the Japanese legation regarding the armistioe is as follows:
 "On the opening of the negotiations the Chinese plenipotentiary proposed armis- tice. which the Japanese government was willing to accept on certain conditions. While this negotiation was going on the untoward event happened on the person of the Chinese plenipotentiary. His maj esty the emperor. in view of this unhappy occurrence, commended the Japanese plen- ipotentiaries to consent to temporary armistice without conditions. This was communicated to the Chinese p1enipoten- tiary"