The Monticellonian., 1895-04-19
PEACE IN PROSPECT.


 sfons.
 WASHINGTON. April 13.-Oficial ad- vices received here from Japan indi- cate that an understanding has been reached between the Japanese and Chi nese potcntiaries, and that the news of the definite conclusion of d treaty of peace may be looked for at any moment.
 Great satisfaction is expressed here at the information that the peace nego- tiations have been practically con cluded eight days before the time fixed for the termination of the existing armistice
 The exact particulars of the proposed terms of settlement could not be learned, but it is understood that in re- sponse to the urgent and repeated re- quests of the Chinese plenipotentary for an abatement of the demands orig inally made, the Japanese plcnipotcn- tiaries have granted important conccs- sions.
 So far as can be learned a formal treaty has not been signed, but will be, probably, to-day. Meanwhile there is q possibility that Lj Hung Chang, the Chinese representative, may object at the last moment and an- other postponement occur. This is re- garded, however, as only possibility and not a probability, inasmueh as the nipotentiaries have devoted d fort night to their work, and the eonclu- sions have been reached after the most careful and deliberate eonsidera- tion.
 It is believed that among the conccs- sions made by the Japanese has been decrease in the amount of indemnity demanded, and this is their principal compromise. When the signature of Li Hung Chang shall have been affixed to the treaty peace will be formally declared. The Chinese yiceroy was clothed with plenary powers when he went to ShomonoseIli, and any action taken by him in the premises, there. fore, is defnitive.
 With the prospect of the immediate conclusion Il treaty of peace be- tween China and Japan, the utter ances of the St. Petersburg Novoe Vremya, threatening opposition by land and sea if Great Britain should aeeede to Japan's demands in regard to Manchuria and Corea, excite only quiet laughter in wcll-informed cir cles. The fact that the Novoc Vremva is the semi-official organ of Russia tends simply to discredit these utter anees the more strongly. Such utter ances, 1t is said, are often made by this organ advisedly. the purpose be. ing to disguise Russla's real intcn- tions. China is hoping that the in- tervention may yet save her humilia- tion. If Russia should interfere, the other powers would naturally hold aloof. What more likely then, it is asked, thnn that Russia would throw out an intimation that she will oppose Japan, and as result of these lntimations preserve the balance be- tween all parties until Japan shall have forced China to accept her terms? In other words, Russia sudden change of front is regarded as bluff" well understood by Japan and thoroughly satisfactory to her.
 The independence of Corea is strongly desired by Russia, and it has been known from the first that such a con clusion would be very gratifying to the czar's government. With Corea entirely freed from the domination of China, Russia can easily secure seaport on the northeastern coast of the Hermit kingdom, as the terminus of her great military rail. way which is now building through Siberia. The natural terminus of this great road would be at Nladivostock, which is situated in the extreme south ern part of Siberia on the Japanese sea. The harbor at Vladivostocls, however, is flied with ice, six, and not infrequentiy eight months of the year. It is necessary, therefore, that the road should have another terminus which will be open to navigation un- interruptedly. Such place is port Lazareth, 100 miles south of Vladivo- stock, and which Is also located on the Japanese sea.
 With Corea free to make treaties with the outside world and to manage her internal affairs after her own fashion, it will be easy, it is believed, for Russia to arrange so that her Sibe- rian road may be extended to Port Lazareth This being accomplished Russia has but one other interest in the pending war.
 Russia, it is said, would look with strong disfavor upon the occupation by Japan of the province of Manchu. ria. A glance at the map will show that this province projects, wedge like, northward from China in such way as to make transit of southern Siberia necessary through this prov ince. So long as weak nation like China controls Manchuria, it cannot be a menace to Rnssia's interests Falling into the possession of q strong military power like Japan, it might become very important from d military and commercial standpoint, and for this reason Russia would not permit its occupation by the latter country It is for this reason also, prcsuma- bly,, that the terms of peace between China and Japan do not affect Chinas territory except as to Port Arthur, which is many hundred miles to the south of the Gulf of Pe-Chi-Li, and where Japan's control will be limited to few square miles of sea coast ter ritory only.