Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-06
THE CASE OF JOHN WILDE.
No Interest Taken in 1t by the State
Department..

No Interest Taken i'm 1t by the State
Department.
So far as can be learned the State De-
partment has taken no interest whatever
in the case of John Wilde, the American
who had taken up arms against the Japa-
rese, and who became their prisoner at
the fall of Wei-Hai-Wei. He broke his
parole by entering the army Of China, and
was expressly exempted from the privileges
accorded all the prisoners surrendered as
result of that engagement. The terms
of the surrender were that the lives of the
Chinese soldiers should be spared, includ-
ing also the foreigners enlisted in the same
cause. These terms were agreed to with
the distinct understanding that they would
not apply to the case of those who had
broken their parole. Wilde and his COM
panions were included in the excepted cate
CORY.
Story of Their Plot.
These individuals will be remembered as
having been concerned in plot to destroy
japanese warships. This plot is said to
have been concocted in Brooklyn during
the early progress of the war. The papers
discussed it at the time, and it became a
matter of war gossip. No official notice
was taken of it here, and 1t was then sup
posed the Japanese government attached
no Importance to it. AT any rate the au-
thoritieS of that country made no eHort
to interrupt the progress OF the plans OF
the alleged conspirators, until they arrived
at Kobe, Japan, on the steamer Sydney,
from Vancouver, about two months ago,
when two of them. Wilde and companion,
were taken into custody and examined.
They represented that they had been badly
maligned, and that they really had no
hostile intentions whatever against the
Japanese government their purposes on
the contrary being Of an entirety Iaenoiy
character The authorities viewed them
with suspicion for the reason that they
had previously submitted to them their
scheme for the destruction OF TChinese
men-of-war, which they niodestly claimed
would revolutionize modern warfare. Ihe
Japanese took no stock m the scheme, ana
would have no dealings with them, Where-
upon, it is understood, they entered INTO
negotiations with the Chinese minister at
Washineton. as consequence of which
they were on their way to the celestial
kingdom when apprehended at Kobe
broke Their Parole.
They were well supplied with credentials,
the most potential of which was letter Of
introduction from Mr.. John w. Foster Of
this city, who is well known to the jap
anese authorities. The two men were ac-
cordingly treated with more consideration
than would otherwise have been the case.
and they were permitted to continue the
journey to China under parole. They were
rext heard from as engaged in the defense
of Wei-Hai-Wei and as being captured in
the downfall of that stronghold. Wilde Is
said to be a citizen Of the United States.
He has been taken to Japan for trial. and
his fate is somewhat problematical Hav-
ing broken his parole, ne will undoubtedly
receive less consideration than ordinary
prisoners of war and may possibly be put
to death, unless some powerful influences
are Immediately exerted in his behalf.
If the matter has been brought to the at
tention Of the State Department 1t has not
been made the subject of correspondence
with the japanese authorities, at least so
far as known at the Japanese legation. 1t
is believed. however, that Wilde and his
associate well will receive a fair trial
and humane treatment at the hands of the
victorious Japanese. without regard to the
action Of the governments to which they
owe allegiance and whose protection they
might properly invoke.