Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-01
MINISTER KURlNO
Japan's Representative Thinks There
VIII Be No Armistice
UNTIL PEhCE CGhhISSICNTRS lGA IT
A Review Of the events OF the Past
Year.
THE ARMY GAINING STRENGTH

Minister Kurino of Japan said today that
in his judgment there vii! oe no t. 'EEstice
and no abatement il the vsar between
Japan and China until the peace pienspo-
tentaries have actually assembled, have
formulated some basis which will warrant
a cessation of hostilities and have them
selves asked for az. armistIce. Mr.. kurino
received unofficial information at an early
hour this morning that Manifesto had
been presented TO the japanese parliament
by the liberal party, breathing the war
spirit ard asking the government 10 push
on to Fekin before consenting to an arms-
tice.
THE liberal party is an influential body
In Japan" said the minister, yet IL Is one
o. several parties, and if the report is con-
frmed I will not regard it IS significant as
affecting the attitude of the government.
The gosernment has a fixed Foiicy. and
will proceed as it deems best for the Scod
OF the country without reference TO man
ifestoes rom parties.
No Likelihood Of Immediate
ArniStice.
There is much talk of an immediate
armIstice" continued MIR. kurino. which
is likely - cause misapprehenson- L see
no likelihood of an armstice until the plen-
lpotcntiafes have met and have agreed to
request such action. together with some
preliminary understanding to Indicate the
advisability of terminating hostiiItIes.
am not officially adv ISed that this Will ne
the course, but il seems the necessary and
only Cne. 1t is certain there Will be no
!. hurried armistice, before it is known what
the plenipoteutiarleS ere really Hkely 10
accomplish.
rhe minister talked entertaningly of the
great importance OF the year just closed on
the history of Japan. Mr. kUrno's nanIs
10 M Hail in tb..I Ia. hes
yet IL is seldom that he allows himself to
be interviewed. But as he prepared for his
New Year rounds today he reviewed the
significant events of the war. He was
dressed IN full diplomatic uniform, the
breast of his coat being covered with heavy
gold embroidery. on which shone four heavy
bronze and jeweied medals. while suspend
ed by a wide scarlet ribbon about hIs neci,
was royal decoration of his country.
An EycntfuI Year for Japan.
'It has been most eventful Year for
Japan said he. Since the declaration OF
war last AusUst,Japan has advanced stead
lily And it is a remarkable fact that
while our army and navy has been gaining
an Hnbroken Series OF victories the internal
resources of Japan have not suffered by be-
Ing drained for war purposes. AT first the
people in the northern islands had some
hardships, as their local Commerce was in
tlIred 10y the needs of the government in
taking their ships. But even these people
manufactures, commerce and business of
Japan are ilourisning. There is the same
activity and trade at Yokohama today as
there was prior to the war Corporation
stocks showed some decline at the outset
of the war, but now they are as strong as
ever"
rs the japanese government being weak
ened by the demands of war; NJ. kuriao
was asked
The Government Not Weakened.
the he is
stronger than ever. in the support of the
people and in the resources available. The
war has aroused a dormant enthusiasm
throughout the country. 1t has cemented
parties and made them all loyal to the
government policy.
"In three davs the diet voted 1oo.Wo,oOO
yen for the government to use in the war.
The speed of such an appropriation ought
to be evident TO those knowing the slow
progress of appropriation bills. 1t indi-
Gates the united purpose OF the people and
their legislative representatives TO uphold
the government at every point For that
reason the course the government deter
mines On, either in continuing aggressive
movements or consenting to an armiStlce,
undoubtedly Will have united support. not
withstanding the reported manifesto.
How do the army and navy of Japan
stand after the hardships of war; was
asked.
The Army Gathers Strength.
They seem to gather strength as they
proceed" was the reply. Military author
tiles appear to agree that the equipment.
maneuvering and action of the army and
navy Is az good as modern nations have
shown. The arms of Japan have been
II Manufactured largely in her own factories.
Many of the heavy guns also have been
made at home. The navy has demon
strated the best possibilities of the cruiser.
the torpedo and other arms of naval at
tack and defense. The three great en-
gagerncnts OF the war-PinS Yang. Ialu
and Port Arthur-undOubtedly will stand
as conspicuous events in military history.
and with 1t ALL" concluded the minister.
Japan has shown her ability to conduct
a great external conflict and yet at the
same time to proceed with steady advance
nent In her Internal affairs"