Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1895-02-01
WEI-HAI-WAI TO FALL
Its Capture by the Japanese 10
Now a Certainty
ARE MAKING PREPARATIONS
Chioa's Pence Intentions u.Ip Mate.
OF Doubt--A Sensational Im-
psrial Rescript.

o.
Peru via San Francisco Jan. 22.)-The
only change in the diplomatic situation
since last advices Is the announcement
that Chang Ying Hwan, China's ac-
credited agent is actually on the way
to Japan. He has been minister to the
United States, Spain and Peru, and NAV
be supposed to fairly understand the
responsibilities of his new position.
Shao Yu Lien is now at Shanghai await
ing his chief. who is reported to have
started from Pekin a week ago II til Is
found that these ENJOYS are authorized
to negotiate seriously some progress
may be made toward defining terms OF
peace.
The capture of Wei-Hai-Wei now re-
garded as a foregone conclusion, may.
however again alter the aspect of af-
fairs. Chinese dignitaries move slowly
In their own country and 1T is anticipat-
ed that Japan will have occupied the
naval station near Chez Foo before the
suitors for peace are ready to leave
their own country. The present inten-
ton Is that the conferences shall be
held at Hiroshima. The fact that Mr..
roster Will accompany the Chinese en-
voys In the capacity of legal adviser
does not change the opinion of the jap
anese with respect to sincerity of Chi
mas intention. Rulers of the middle
kingdom are as capable of driving their
friends as enemies If they think 1t ex-
pedient and 1t is no more certain that
they Will fully trust their employees now
than 1t was in Gordon's time. The pres
ence or Foster can not be taken as a
positive guarantee of earnestness of the
Chinese side
TO BESIEGE WEI-HAI-WEI.
The Japanese troops in Lao Tung
peninsula are actively preparing for an
important expedition and it is assumed
ON all sides that Wei-Hai-Wei will be
the object of attack. The military
force gathered for this purpose Is of
about the same strength as that which
conquered Talien and Port Arthur.
Reports from Wei-Hai-Wei state that
iS,o00 Chinese are posted in or near the
tortiiications. Two foreigners. an Eng
nshman ana German, whose names
are not published, are said to be SUPER
intending the defensive operations. The
lieet in the harbor has been Increased
and 1t is believed that 10 ships of war
Won Hanneken's scheme for reorgan-
lzing the Chinese army and providing
1t short notice a trustworthy force for
the defense of Pekin, has been laid
aside by order of the Tsung Ii Yamen.
Fhe reason publicly given for the aban-
donment of it is alleged depletion Of
the treasury.
SENSATIONAL RESCRIPT.
Foreign newspapers of Shanghai con-
tain translations of an alleged imperial
rescript, so extraordinary in character
that Its authenticity Is scarcely credit
ed, although 1t appears to have been
given publicity through regular cham
hels. It's tone and purport may be
Judged from the following extract:
The japanese have gained victory
after victory and despoiled our terri
tory, until our august ancestors in their
sacred graves are disturbed This is
because we who rule the empire are I'M
worthy and deficient in virtue and have
entrusted the defense of the state to
unht servants. IT, however, 1t is our
destiny to suffer the worst evils and
to witness the defilement and destruc-
ton of reverned affairs there remains
nothing but for us to perish"
1t is rumored that this edict was
privately circulated in the palace De-
cember last and became known to
the outer world through treachery. But
the genuineness of the remarkable doc
ament needs no further attestation.
The ransom paid for the release of
Nine. Challeot and her daughter from
the chinese pirates was about $780, 900.