The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-13
Her Army and Navy Being
Massed in the Far East
for the Purpose.
CLOUDS ON THE PEACE PLANS
Unless Terms Are Speedily Con-
cluded the Mikado's Men VIII
March to Picking.

is stated on excellent authority thaI husSld
has determined to make diplomatic oppo-
sition to the annexation by Japan OF any
portion of the Asiatic continent. The
Russian army and navy in the far East are
being REINFORCED, with the view OF sup
porting this decision.
The Russian Government has also re-
solved not to interfere in Armenia, IN order
to have free hand in the far East.
China, considering it impossible for her
to accept the japanese conditions of peace,
is sounding Russia and other powers as to
whether they will intervene.
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, April 12.-It is
stated here on reliable authority that unless
peace is concluded within the period OF the
armistice truce it will not be extended, and
the japanese armies will in May advance
upon Peking.
1t is officially stated that the cholera in
the Pescador Islands, recently occupied by
the Japanese forces as the base of opera
tons against the island of Formosa, is
abating.
LONDON, Eng, April IA dispatch to
the Times from Kobe says hopes are enter
tanned of an early settlement of peace.
With regard to the prospective revision of
the Japanese-Chinese commercial treaty,
responsible Japanese statesmen claim that
Japan will be placed on an equal footing
with the western powers, possibly with
further trading facilities, but she will not
seek exclusive facilities.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 12.-Ofi-
cial advices received at the japanese le-
CATION to-day from Japan indicate that an
understanding has been reached between
the japanese and Chinese plenipoten-
tiaries and the news of the definite con-
clusion of peace may be expected at any
time The exact terms cannot be ascer-
tanned, but it Is understood that, in re-
Spouse to repeated requests of the Chinese
plenipotentiaries for the abatement of the
demands originally made by them, the
Japanese plenipotentiaries have granted
some concessions. Brief as the foregoing
official message is, it marks the close of
the Japan-China war, barring the posi-
bility, of course, of some unexpected hitch
at the last moment.
The announcement of the exact terms
of peace is yet to come; but from what is
known of the negotiations thus far every
thing points to peaceful solution. 1t was
officially announced that the terms being
insisted on were as follows:
First-The independence of Korea.
Second-The permanent cession of the
island of Formosa to Japan.
Third-An indemnity of 300,OOO,0O0
taeIs, Chinese money.
Fourth-The permanent occupation of
Port Arthur and the immediate surround
ing territory.
Fifth-The new Japan-China treaty
opening China to commerce.
The two conditions which have caused
trouble are the permanent occupation of
Port Arthur and the payment of 800, 100000
taels.
Minister Kurino of Japan said, concern
ing the Japan-China peace understanding
announced to him by official cable from
Toxic to-day:
''The cablegram is quite brief, and does
not recite the terms, nor does it say that
peace as yet has actually been agreed
upon, but an understanding has been
reached between the ENJOYS by which
peace is assured. l have no doubt from
this that we will have a treaty of peace
within few days. 1t undoubtedly will be
concluded within the next seven days, as
the armistice expires at the end of that
time. Should it not be arranged by that
time there would probably be no difficulty
n continuing a truce, now that peace
understanding has been defnitately
reached. There may be some delay in ar
ranging the details of the new Japan
China treaty, as it will cover all of the
commercial interests of the two countries.
One Of the most essential items will be
that of the tariff. Heretofore the Japanese
duty had per cent on Chinese goods, and
under the favored nation clause all other
countries were entitled to the same rate
"But with Japan's new treaties with the
United States, Great Britain and all other
countries which contain the favored-nation
clause, it will not longer be possible to give
China the per cent rate"
Mr.. Kurino said that in the absence OF
definite word from his Government as to
the terms of the peace understanding he
did not wish to speculate on the terms.
He regarded it as settled, however, that
the island of Formosa would be perma-
nently coded to Japan. That much had
already proceeded beyond the stage of con-
tention. He also considered the indie
pendence of Korea as settled. This would
leave the question OF indemnity, of Port
Arthur's occupation and of future treaty
arrangements as the subjects on which the
Japanese plenipotentiaries may have
granted some concessions. These conces-
sions may apply to one or the other of the
terms or to all of them.
The Minister is hardly prepared to be-
ieve there is no occupation of Port Arthur.
1t is possible that term of years may be
conceded instead of permanent occupa-
ton, or else that the extent of surround.
ing territory may be more restricted than
at first contemplate d. Mr. Kurino takes a
conservative view of the conclusion OF
peace. He shares the feeling of his coun-
trymen that Japan had won the right to
expect much as the price of peace. The
Minister communicated the information
from Japan to the State Department dur.
ing the day. 1t was after the Cabinet
meeting, however, and Secretary Gresham
did not communicate the news to his Cabi
net colleagues. Later in the day President
Cleveland was informed.
PRINCE III RECOVERING.
Negotiations We're Progressing Farorabls