The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-04-05
HOSTILITIES CEASE.
Japan md China Coming to Terms
OF Peace.
The Emperor of Japan Declares an Un'
conditional ArmIstIce - Attempted
Assassination of the Chinese
Peace Envoy the Cause

WASHINGTON. March 30-The en-
peror of Japan has declared an uncon-
ditional armistice, the news being con-
6rmed at the Japanese legation, where
il was stated that a cablegram to this
effect had been received from the home
government China made the of
fer of the armistice and the
peace Observation-Disclosures of japan were
empowered by the emperor to accept
it without condition. This was done
in view of the unexpected event" that
happened, viz, the attempted assassi-
nation of Ii Hung Chang. The arms
tice, Minister Kurino, of the japanese
legation, said. will be effective until
the peace negotiations are concluded.
After a meeting of the peace
ambassadors had been decided on
China requested the declaration of an
armistice, but this request had not been
acted upon favorably by Japan. His
government, Minister KuriuO said, had
not been inclined to stop war-like oper-
ations except on certain conditions.
These conditions are not known, but
it is suggested that probably the occu-
Japan wishing something as a guaran-
tee of the willingness and earnest
ness of the Japanese for an amicable
settlement of the war. China evidently
could not arrive at a conclusion to
agree to the stipulations demanded 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, how
ever.
The power of the japanese govern
ment to execute the armistice will now
be put to a practical test. The mill
tary power of Japan, in the Judgment
of the intelligent observers, 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 authorities ordered one. To
meet this emergency a change of
army commanders was recently
made. There have been three army
corps operating in different campaigns
and each under general of supreme
authority over his particular campaign.
About three weeks ago, in anticipa-
ton of the armistice, Prince Komatsu
was created commander-in-chief over
all the armies. The effect of this step
was to concentrate authority in one
man. in close touch with the imperial
household, who could thus execute an
armistice by simultaneous cessation
of hostilities by the armies.
1t now remains to be seen whether
Prince Komatsu 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 Ko-
matsu has to contend with a war spirit,
infamed by many victories. 1t has
been said that an armistice would be
so unpopular among the people and
soldiery that it would assure the polit-
zeal retirement of Japan's two chief
statesmen-Count Ito and Mr.. Matsin
who have served as peace ENJOYS.