Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-05-01
JAPAN'S EMPEROR SPEAKS.
HE ADVISES WISE MODERATION.

Denies That Japan Has Insisted Upon Com
mercial Advantages Not Open to Europe
ans, and Says that the Reported Offensive
| and Defensive Alliance With China Does
| Not Exist.
| YOKOHAMA, April 22.-An official dis
patch says that Count Ito, president Of
the Japanese council of ministers, and
Viscount Mutsue the Japanese minis
| ter for foreign affairs, the two officials
who negotiated the treaties of peace
were received in audience by the EN-
peror on their return to Hiroshimi
The emperor said: 1.-THE principal
Ipoihts of the treaty are entirely salts
/ factory and add much to the glory OF
| the empire. l am highly pleased at the
| signal service rendered by you"
T The following imperial proclamation
was issued this afternoon. Through
peace national prosperity is best
promoted. Unfortunately the rupture
of relations with China forced upon us
a war which, after the lapse of ten
months, is not yet ended. During this
period our ministers, in connection with
the army and navy, have done all in
their power to further our aims, in
obedience to our instructions. Our OBJ
ject is to restore peace. promoting our
national prosperity. Now that peace
is negotiated permanent cessation of
hostilities is near at hand. The terms
of peace fixed by your ministers of state
give us complete satisfaction.
THE END NOT YET.
''We are rejoiced at the recent vic
tories which have enhanced the glory
of our empire. At the same time we
are aware that the end of the road
which must be traversed by the empire
in the march of civilization is still far
distant, and remains to be attained.
We, therefore, hope, in common with
our loyal subjects, that we shall guard
against self contentedness, and ever. in
"a spirit of modesty and humility, strive
to perfect our military defense without
falling into extremes In short, it is
our wish that the government and the
people shall work to common end. and
that our subjects of all classes strive
each in his sphere for the purpose of
laying the foundation of permanent
prosperity.
ut is hereby definitely made known
that no countenance will be given by
us to such as through joy at the recent
victories may offer insult to other
states. or injure our relations with
friendly powers, especially as regards
China.
After the exchange of the ratifica-
ton of the treaty of peace, friendship
should be restored and endeavors made
to increase more than ever before the
relations of good neighborhood. 1t is
our pleasure that our subjects pay due
respect to these, our expressed wishes.''
NO ALLIANCE WITH CHINA.
The following is the text of the state
ment issued by the japanese govern
ment, denying the reports that it has
concluded an offensive and defensive
alliance with China, and declaring that
the commercial advantages secured by
Japan will also be enjoyed by the 9th
er powers under the favored nation
treatment:
Misrepresentation are reported to
be current in Europe rega riding the
terms of the Japan Chinese treaty. 1t
has been represented that Japan has
secured a two per cent. ad valorem
duty on imports instead of specific, and
has SO formed an offensive and defen.
sive alliance with China. The com
mercial concessions obtained by Japan
beyond those already secured by the
treaty powers under the most favored
nation clause comprise the right to
navigate the Yang Use Kiang to Chung
King and also the Woon Sung river and
the canals leading to 500 Chow and
Han Chow, and the right to import ma
chinery and certain goods duty free
and to establish factories. These con-
cessions are not exclusive to Japan;
they naturally extend to the European
powers in virtue of the favored nation
clause. In securing these privileges for
all, Japan expects the approval of all
the powers. The reported offensive and
defensive alliance does not exist.
An imperial proclamation just issued |
exhorts the nation to moderation at the |
present juncture of the country's his
tory.