The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-16
PEACE.

According 10 TINS morning report III
HUNG CHANG, armed with full powers
from the poor little emperor who few
months ago stripped the great diplomat
of peacock feather and yellow jacket, be-
cause he dared to prophesy that China's
unorganized, undisciplined, unarmed
levies could never fight the troops OF
Japan, has signed treaty of peace.
Assuming that the cabled summary OF
the terms is correct, Japan's successfully
prosecuted claims are moro comprehen-
sive and more important than had been
predicted. They comprise the indepen-
dence of Corea, Japan's retention OF
conquered districts, Japan's retention OF
the territory east of the Liao River, per-
nanent cession of ForInosa, an indem-
nifty of one hundred million dollars,
and an offensive and defensive alliance
between China and Japan.
Nothing could better demonstrate the
absolute and abject subsection of one
nation by another than these terms OF
peace. 1t could hardly have been
doubted that Japan had the Chinese
government at her mercy, but how alb
solutely could hardly have been
clear before the acceptance Of the peace
terms. That the japanese did not enter
Pekin was solely because they did not
want to, and that the japanese armies
would have had no more trouble doing
1t, than it involved in few days march
TO the capitol, is evidence enough from
these terms Of peace.
The military history of the world,
even the career of NAPOLEON, furnishes
few instances Of so absolute conquest
followed by such tremendous transac-
tion in territory and money as has now
closed the Eastern war. There is
nothing comparable to 1t, according to
these cabled terms Of peace, except the
subsection of uncivilized and barba-
rous countries at the hands OF
powerful and civilized nations. The ''re-
tention of the conquered places means
japanese possession of every important
military port in China, a perfect chain of
Gibraltars. What "the territory east of
the Liao river" is that is retained by
Japan is just now indefinite. as owing
to the confusion of the spelling
of the Chinese names it
Is difficult to decide just
what river is meant by "Liao." But the
territory is very likely part of those
districts already in possession of the
Japanese, which have been conquered,
re-organized and in which civil govern
ment has been set up with japanese civil
officers in charge, and that commands the
land approaches to the conquered. forts.
The word retention" indicates that
these districts torn the territory which
Japan will control in future under the
conditions Of the terms of peace.
The permanent cession of Formosa
and the payment of one hundred mil
lions of indemnity are indeed rich spoils
of war that need no elucidation to ap-
preciate their value.
Having thus possessed herself of an
important part of China's sea coast ter
tritory and fortified ports, having thus
arranged for the full payment of her
war expenses by immediate moneys and
future profits from the rich land Of
Formosa, having settled the long
troublous Corean question, Japan's sixth
condition of peace indicates plainly
future national policy and gives
notice to the Western world that the
Eastern seas are to be controlled by the
Eastern nations aud that European en-
croachments in the Orient shall cease.
"An offensive and defensive alliance
between China and JAPAN" points
plainly to this. Japan has no wish to
destroy China and leave it prey for
scramble of European powers for pos
session and rending apart into territory
subject to European authority. "Asia
for the Asiatics" is the japanese slogan.
China has been brought to terms, but
China's interests and Japan's interests
must be made one as against the Euro
pean. Japan will look out for the civili-
zation of the East and China is pledged
to support ber efforts.
With stroke Of his pen III HUNG
CHANG has marked an epoch in history.