The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-07-09
fHE PEACE WITH China
EI-Seoretary Poster Declares That
It Will be Permanent.


ghs American Adviser Of the Chinese Gov
eminent Declares That Our Government
Came Out Of the Diplomatic Contest
with Better Grace Than Any Other.
WAsHIseToN, July e.-Ex-Secretary Of
State John w. Foster arrived In Washing
ton yesterday from China, where he has
taken conspicuous part in the diplomatic
branch of the China-Japan conflict. He Is
fatigued with his long journey, but other
wise in vigorous health, notwithstanding
the hardships incidental to the closing Of
the eastern war. Mr.. Foster brings fund
Of Information on the status Of the China
Japan troubles and the interesting events
Of peace negotiations, in which he took a
personal part.
In answer to inquiries Mr. Foster made
q statement in which he said that there
was good reason to expect permanent
peace between Japan and China as the re-
suit Of the treaty Of Shimoneseki. The
terms demanded by Japan may, he said,
under the circumstances be regarded as
reasonable, especially in view Of the retro
cession Of the Lao Tung peninsula. The
treaty has been observed and carried out
by China with scrupulous good faith. Her
conduct In this respect has created q very
favorable impression In Japan.
The loan Just concluded through Rus
Sian influence will enable China to pay
the first two installments Of the indem-
nifty. These two installments cover half
Of the indemnity and the balance, ex-
tending over six years, will be a compare
lively easy burden for the Chinese govern
ment If any skill is shown in the manage
mont of the imperial revenues. The coun-
try has great resources, and has never yet
failed In its financial engagements.
Hence the peace concluded at Shimone-
seki is not likely to be broken on account
Of the shortcomings Of China. II a rup-
ture occurs II is more likely to be brought
about by the intermeddlng Of the Euro
pean powers.
The intervention Of Russia on account
of the terms Of peace was not unexpected,
and is not unnatural in view of her pre-
dominating interest in the orient. esps
cially on the North Pacific coast of Asia.
That Franco followed the lead of Russia
created no surprise In the east, but that
Germany should unite with them in a
display of force against Japan was en-
tirely unexpected, and is not yet under
stood British residents in China and
Japan are very bitter in criticism Of their
government for its abstention In the mat
ter. They allege that its failure to join
with the other powers in rearranging the
terms Of peace has lost for their coun-
try much prestige and has left Russia a
free hand in its influence and control at
| Pekin.
OF all the countries automatically con-
| cerned In the contest the United States
has come out Of it with better grace than
any other. From the first her interest
has been recognized by both belligerents
as purely disinterested, her only desire
being to render such service as would
bring about an honorable and lasting
| peace. The conduct of the state depart
ment In its very delicate relations with
both combatants has been marked by
good Judgment and by few mist axes, and
the good offices of our m inisters and con-
suls in China and Japan, where they rep
resented the interests OF both govern
ments, have been very useful, and are
highly appreciated by both.
Being asked why he declined the invita-
tion to remain in China as the adviser OF
the government Mr.. Foster said that he
had spent the greater portion OF the past
twenty-five years In foreign lands, and
that while his residence abroad had been
| generally pleasant one, he had found no
country equal to bis own native land, and
he desired to spend the rest Of his days In
his own country aud his own home. He
confessed that II the invitation had come
Eve or ten years earlier he would probably
| not hava dnclined IL