The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-04-17
Peace Declared.
The Official Information Re-
ceived From Japan.
An Amlcable ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Claims Were Modified.

An Am1cable ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Claims Were Modified.
WASHINGTON, April 12-Oficial
advices received here to-day from
Japan indicate that an understanding
has been reached between the ia
panese and Chinese plenipotentiaries
and that the news of the definite con
clusion of peace may be expected at
any moment The exact %particu-
lars of tie proposed terms for settle
ment could not be learned, but it is
understood that in response to the
urgent and repeated requests of the
Chinese plenipotentiary for an abate-
ment of the demands originally
made, the japanese plenipotentiaries
have granted important concessions.
SATISFACTION IN wAsHINGToN-JAPAN's
PROBABLE CONCESSION.
WASHINGTON, April y Great
satisfaction is expressed here at the
information that the peace negotia-
tions have been practically concluded
between China and Japan eight days
before the time fixed for the termi-
nation of the armistice. So far as
can be learned, a formal treaty has
not been sized, and may not be
before tomorrow. Meanwhile there
is a possibility that Ii Hung Chang,
the Chinese representative, may oh
iect at the last moment and another
postponement occur. This is regard
ed, however, as only a possibility
and not a probability, inasmuch as
the pienipotentia:ies have devoted a
fortnight to their work and the con
illusions have been reached after the
most careful and deliberate consider
alton.
1t is believed that among the con
cessions made by Japan has been a
decrease in the amount of the indem-
nifty demanded, and that this is the
principal compromise. When the
signature of Lii Hung Chang shall
have been affixed to the treaty. peace
will then be formally declared The
Chinese viceory was clothed with
plenary powers when he came to
Simonoseki, and any action taken by
him, therefore, in de6nitiye.
THE JAPANESE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
AS TO WHETHER IT WILL BE PAID
IN SILVER OR GOLD.
WASHINGTON, April l2-Careful
inquiries both at the Chinese and
japanese legations and of officials of
the State department and officers of
the navy. who by residence in both
the contending countries have be-
come familiar with their customs and
currency seem to Indicate a strong
probability that the indemnity to be
paid by China to Japan will be paid
in silver and not in gold. though no
definite official statement to the effect
has yet been received here. Silver
is the measure of value to a great
extent in both countries Japan has
not been called upon to negotiate
anv European loan payable in gold
for the prosecution of the war.
Therefore she has experienced no
special drain of gold. China On the
other hand, being heavily in debt to
England and other European nations,
has exported within the past few
years large quantities Of gold and
the national treasury does not con-
tain any considerable amount of this
metal. Moreover, silver is the only
medium of exchange in the Chinese
Empire and this being the case, it
would be much. easier to pay the
indemnity in that metal than in gold.
Some misunderstanding exists as to
the meaning OF the WORD 'lael,' IN
which the indemnity will be paid.
The "tael' is not a coin, but "a
weight. 1t varies in value accord
ing to the price of silver. In Pekin
at the present tine one tael is equal
to $3.50 in Mexican silver dollars,
or IS cents in American gold. The
silver is put up in form of bul!ion or
ingots, each ingot containing silver
to the amount Of from 20 to so taels.
Beyond the fact that strong grounds
exist for believing that the indemnity
will be paid in silver, and that at no
time has gold been stipulated in the
negotiations, no further details are
obtainable at his time. The taeI,
which will be used as the measure of
I'll o H.: