The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-31
Does Not Cover Formosa, Which
Is TO Re Occupied.
THE WAR PRACTICALLY ENDED.
Belief That the Big Indemnity Will
Be Paid in Silver.
II Hung ChanG's Condition Reported
Worse BY Granting the ArmIstice
Japan Regains the Advantage Which
She Lost by the Attempted As.
sassinatiou.

ShimoneSekL March SIT IL officially
announced that an unconditional armis-
tee for three weeks has been arranged
for Moukden. the Gulf of PechAi and
the Shantung peninsula. \ conferences
between the Japanese plenipotentlaries
and Ii Hung Chang's son-in-lsw, Lord
Ii. preceded the declaration OF an un-
conditional armistice by the emperor of
Japan.
Washington City. March a.-The Chi
nese legation has received a cahieErsm
from Peking stating that the condition
of III Hung Chang is still q matter OF
doubt, The authorities regard the In
formation as presenting later phase
than the recent unofficial reports. which
dismissed the wound as of slight im-
portance. II does not express fear of se-
rious results, bat the tenor Of the dis
patch is such as 20 indicate that 1t IL
SIN too early TO feel assured that tho
envoy Is entirely out of danger. The dis
patch was evidently sent from PekinS
prior 10 the announcement OF the armis-
tice. as ii contains no reference TO that
fact nor had the legation received other
official confirmation OF that event during
the early part OF the day.
Now that suspension Of hostiiities has
been directed. there is renewal of inter
est IA 10 the terms of peace 70 follow.
While there is no definite information on
the subject at the Chinese legation. the
opinion prevails that the money indemni-
~ Will he paid largely in silver, which
is the metal in common use in China.
Those most familiar with China say there
Is no gold coin in circulation. although
that country has heretofore purchased
large supplies OF gold bars and from this
accumulation made heavy gold exportS-
The Japanese legation had not UP to
noon today received additional Informal
ton concerning the armistice. The Of
al hHit
step will be the issuance of a proclama-
ton by Japan. and unofficial word has al
ready reached the legation that this has
been done. Confidence Is expressed that
the emperors' proclamation VIII be ac-
cepted at once by the armies. There Is
telegraph communication with the var
ious divisions at Port Arthur. Newcwang
and Weihaiwei. although II takes twelve
hours 20 reach the last named place.
Secretary Gresham has received official
confirmation OF tho declaration OF an un-
conditional armistice by the emperor of
Japan. 1t Is not understood here that
this is In any sense equivalent 10 "A dscia-
ration OF peace. but II Is believed that
there Is not likely TO he a resumption Of
hostiiities. The negotiations may con-
tinue for long time before peace
treaty In signed. and ft is quito certain
that japan Will ahate none OF her de-
mands on account OF the arniistice. In
fact. the OF the 10 ioohch
upon as a shrewd move by the japanese
emperor 10 dimlnish the harmful effect
OF the attack upon IL Hung Chang. TX
the war were prosecuted now It would
have the effect TO force the peace nego-
tiations to n speedy conclusion. and IL is
realized by the Japanese that in the
present state OF feeling caused by tho
attack they could scarcely insist upon
as good terms OF peace as can be realized
after the lapse OF few weeks. when tho
first impression VIII have worn on
II IL noted here with interest that tbs
terms OF the arrnisticc do not apply 10 tho
lower coast of China, and particularly 10
Forrnosa and the Fisher islands. This Is
taken 10 mean that the Japanese have de-
termined to ocupy Formosa before ths
peace negotiations are completed. and ths
EXPLANATION of this purpose is found In
the fact that II In almost an inyariable
rule OF international law that a nation
must be I'm actual armed possession OF n
niece OF territory as a basis for de-
mand for itc cession.
New York, March 30.--The rise In silver
today is due 10 the granting of an arniis-
tice and renewed hope OF declaration
OF peace by China and Japan. on terms
which will compel china 10 pay heavy
indemnity thereby requiring her TO como
into the market as a silver buyer. IL Is
expected also that with the close OF tho
war a revival OF trade In the East Will
take place which will make an increased
demand for silver.