New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-18
THE TERMS or PEACE.

The earliest accounts or the treaty or peace
between Japan and China were probably inaccll-
rate in important details. Peace has been made.
but not on terms 50 humiliating 10 China as the
first reports Indicted The indemnity has been
raised TO S15OCr jn, hut the territorial con
ccssions have sllrunk in importance, and the
pcrmancncy Of all the cOnqucStS except ForlnoSa
may still be regarded as an open question. The
reported alliance between Japan and China may
also prove 10 be i'll founded. The text Of the
treaty has not yet been brought 70 light. and
there are uncertainties aud contradictions which
b,tlc the most Ingenious gucsswork; hut Japan
has undoubtedly negotiated peace virtually on
its own terms If a harder bargain has not been
made, il has not been from lack of power ard
opportunity. but because the diplomatiSts of the
victorious nation have been moderate in their
demands and have resisted the temptation 10
found a continental empire
There are limitations from London and 81.
Petersburg that this new treaty like Igna;icii'S
convention of san Stcfano. will have 10 be sub
mi,tcd 70 a European Congress for revision We
consider such result To be most unlikely. Japan.
by opening several new Chinese ports TO the
worlds trade. has appealed strongly 10 British
summarizes and interests; and it is not prob
able llllt Inc I lllfi NluEu'H VII Nh'l i'N'N'
ancc 10 the treaty. as was done when the Rus
slams dictated peace N the gates of '"nSiAnt-
NOBLE. Russia and France can hardly hope 10
draw England into triple alliance for the pro
lection Of China. There might be- concerted
action if the Chinese Empire were breaking NJ
and there were kingdoms to be divides; hut a
European alliance against Japan Is not within
the range Of possibilities. Each of the three IN
ropcan rivals for dominion in Asia will speedily
be- ingratiating itself into JaplnS good sraccs
ana r,-cnacting tie familiar diplomatic stage
business Of "C0dlinS the friend, not Short
The great increase of prestige which Japan has
gained from nine months war and IN over
whclming diplomatic success in making peace on
il, own terms has been cheapy won. II has
uominallv been modern warfare and the island
empire has known how 10 use its fleets ana
al1mamrutS: hut the military forces employed
have been small and the mortality has been ll@h'
OH land and Sra. Compared with The r"crn' cam
plisnS in Bohemia. France and Bulgaria, the
operations have been insignificant. but III" con
ficr has been 50 one sided and the defeat Of
China 50 overwhelming that Japan leaps n once
into the foremost place on The ASlaiic coast. ana
there is a rcldjuslmcnt of the balance oi power
II its statesmen have been wary AMI prudent
they have not armed il with The responsibilities
Of permanent occupation of any large provinces
on the mainland That would BE- dangerous
policy. because It would not be- true 10 the char
acter Of the Japanese rs essentially ~ inNular
and maritime people.
Japan undoubtedly has some great work in r."
serve, for n I'm the East While IL j. not q mod
crn nation in the American or the European SENSE
of the term. it j. a progressive pcopl" THAT is
adapting itself with remarkable facility 90 new
ideas and has succeeded in overcoming The in"r
tin of Oriental conservatism There j. l'1v'n ~
some kind working in Japan. and while The Who'll"
lump Of Eastern Asia may not be- affected 10y IT,
radical changes in order Of government AMI com
mcrcc may bc produced through the influence
prestige and policies II The victorious nation