St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-30
CAN TRUCE BE ENFORCED.
Japs, Inflamed by Success, Are
Wild for Conquest.

WASHINGTON, March 29-The news
that an unconditional armistice had
been declared by the Emperor of
Japan, was confirmed at the jap
anese legation, where it. was stated
that a cablegram to this effect had been
received from the home government
China made the offer of the armis-
tice and the peace plenipotentiaries of
Japan We're empowered by the en-
peror to accept it without condition.
This was done in view of the "unex-
pected event. that happened, viz: the
attempted assassination of Ii Hung
Chang. The armistice, said Minister
Kurino, of the Japanese legation, would
be effective until the peace negotia-
tions are concluded. After a meeting
of the peace ambassadors had been de-
cided on, China requested the declara-
tion of an armistice. but this request
was not favorably acted upon by Japan.
His government, Minister Kurino said,
had not been inclined to stop warlike
operations except on certain condi-
tions. These conditions are not known,
but it is. suggested that probably the
occupation of Taku might have been
one, Japan wishing something as a
guarantee of the willingness and earn
estness Of the Chinese for an amicable.
settlement of the war. China evidently.
could not arrive at a conclusion to
agree to the stipulatiens demanded by.
Japan, and the attempt on the life of
the Chinese peace ambassador. solved
the problem for the time being, and
hostilities will be suspended There
will be no withdrawal of the Japanese
troops from Chinese territory, however.
The power of the japanese govern
ment to execute the armistice will
now be put to a critical test. The mill
tary power of Japan, in the Judgment
of intelligent observers, has almost
outstripped the civil power during the
war. This has caused serious concern.
as it has been feared that the military
element, backed by the war spirit
among the people, would not submit to
an armiStice, even If the civil authori-
ties ordered one. To meet this emer-
gency, change of many commanders
was recently made. There has been
three army corps, operating in different
campaigns, and each under a general
of supreme authority over his rar-
tcular campaign. About three weeks
ago, in anticipation of the armistice
Prince Komatsu was created command
er-in-chief over all the armies. The
purpose of this step was to concentrate
authority in one man, in close touch
with the imperial household, who could
thus execute an armistice by a stimuli
taneous cessation of hostilities by the
three armies. II now remains to be
seen whether Prince Komatsu can exc
cute the important commission given
him. The splendid discipline shown by
the army during the war gives assur-
ance that there will be immediate ac-
quiescence by the military. And yet,
Prince Komatsu has to contend against
a war spirit, inf1amed by many vic
tories. 1t has been said that an armis-
tice would be so unpopular among the
people and soldiery that it would as
sure the political retirement of Japans
two chief statesmen-Count Ito and
Mr.. Matsin-who have served as peace
ENJOYS.
The full text of the cable received at
the Japanese legation today regarding
the armistice is as follows:
"On the opening of negotiations the
Chinese plenipotentiary proposed ar
mistice, which Japan was willing to ac-
cept on certain conditions. While this
negotiation was going on, the untoward
event happened on the person of the
Chinese plenipotentiary.
His majesty, the emperor, in view
of this unhappy occurrence, command
ed the japanese plenipotentiaries to
consent to temporary armistice, with
out conditions. This was commune
Gated to the Chinese plenipotentiary."