The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-28
JAPAN MAIL TO MARCH I2.
Peace Believed to Be Near at Hand-How
Gen. Nodzu Took NeNchManc

Yokohama, March i2-Per Steamer Ia
coma a Victoria March 27-The reasons
why Japan Is for the first time hopeful
with regard TO Chna's oyertures for peace
can now be explained. BY means of in
direct correspondence through the lega-
tfons of the United States in Tokyo and
Peking ii was discovered that the reluct-
ance of the Chinese emperor to confer fun
power upon an am .assador was caused
by his dread that the japanese conditions
of peace would be Overwhelmingly op-
pressive, aud that 1t would therefore be
unsafe TO authorize any delegate 10 dis
cuss them on his own responsibility. With
a genuine desire 10 facilitate progress,
the Japanese government decided. shortly
after the departure of the unacceptable
messengers. Chang and Shao, TO waive
the point which they had previously
maintained with firmness. and 70 relieve
their adversary of the worst of his ap-
prehensions by Communca ting 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 desg-
mated 10 act as ambassador. and the
strongest assurances We're given 10 Mr..
DENLY that on this occasion tho creden-
tials should be satisfactory In every par
ticular. Ii is not understood that Japan's
purposes have been disclosed mInutely.
Enough has been impaired 10 show thai
China need not fear absolute degradation
or the imposfti0v of intolerabe burdens.
and the details will remain open 10 dis
cussion.
Whether the Peklng government will or
VIII not abuse the generosity OF the con-
querors In thus CLEARING the path of the
conquered has yet TO he ascertained. The
representatives OF foreign powers In 10th
countries appear 10 be united In the be-
lief that peace is near at hand. The jap
anese ministers OF state are supposed 20
concur in this opinion. though not per-
haps. with unqualified trust There are
some features Of the Chinese proceedings
which are not calculated 10 inspire com
plete confidence. Never before has the
Manchu court conferred authority TO deal
with such vital questions as are now at
issue 1Ipon an official Of Ii Hung Chang's
standing, or upon one of pure Chinese
blood Negotiations for peace with for
eign nations have always proved Elusive
unless conducted by a member OF the
rsigning family For a short time IL was
given out that Prince kung would he
lected 10 lead the embassy. and his ap-
pointment would certainly have been bet
ter suited 20 the requirements of the stu
alton II would he serious matter 10
disavow and discredit the soverelgn's un-
Gle whereas the vfCeroy of the PeCbtlt
provinces would lose his head at a mo-
mpUl notice y the court f3fl%ittf-tf u
expedient 10 thus dispose of him. The
treatment he has undergone In the past
six months affords ample evidence of the
slight hold ne has upon the imperial good
will Not a few Of his couu'Tymen be-
lleve that his mission 20 Japan is in pur-
snance OF A scheme for hts utter ruin.
and that, however his errand terminates.
he viii be proclaimed faithless and
doomed 20 death. Others, and the major
81 fnA frF u
laying traps for his victims IS not likely
20 be iuref unawares 20 his own destruc-
ts1u i x a notorious fact that since last
September none Of the troops gathered
under his standard have taken any part
in the opera tons OF the war. They are
me best drilled forces IN China. but al
though repeatedly ordered 10 join armies
IN the field under Generals Sung. L1u or
Wa. they have refused to listen TO any
leader hut their patron viCeToy. who
kesps them distrf ufef here and there
mainly in the adjoining province o. shan
tgng. always ready - respond 20 his
summons II. during ~ ahSes1ce In ia
pan. MS enemies get the upper hand ne
win s.tu have the material means "a exc
cute the great cors. % which. IN The last
extremity. he IS believed 20 be capable.
pe~orts from the scene % military a.
,fyifH in Nanchuris are sun confused and
contradictory. but it g now sscertalnei
thar the CAPTURE Of Old Newc0wanS vas
eTe--ed l,y the army corps n Lieut.. Gen.
Noszu. consisting Of the thiFd ami hfth
dfyfzforS The former II these. on leaF-
ing fsicheng. narchsd northward to-
vcar3 I.oaoyanE for about twenty mites.
AID rhen turned hack ny another road
lsaa.ne TO NewchwsUE. Outside The walls
Of rha city thts ho3y VAS Joined ~ the
ef,h division. and the place VAS carriel
either on March or s The dates are
V-arfauzlv given ia different dispa'c has
froru the front ON the lfh Lieut. Gen
vauasff raache1 fnfo Yinko@. called New
..ffu-snsy hy- fta former residents wit1 tne
arst d-ssou and took possession Min
xFare~lY SHOW Of opposition Quarts
,xere r.nztef around fhe alien quarter. an3
arr.~ ror9ents made for tne complete pro-
te,t4on Of Americans and Europeans. 20
tba warmly expressed satisfaction Of f1e
consular osa-tals Two DAYS later hrs-
~adA Of the third division 3oined the first
ir an assault unou T3ngchwsaEtat a heag-
u,- sa~rfansi fort on fhe western hank -
she f.aao river. 30 whlgh all the .l*fes "a
t-l,s~sse troops had betsken theTaseIses
the stream vas fr0zeu. 50 that no diff
Guilty IN crossing wA5 experienced. A19