The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-30
FIGHTING STOPS.
Hostilities Between China and
Japan Cease,
While the Terms Of Peace Are
Being>Arranged.
SHOOTING OF Ii HUNG
Was the Immediate Cause of the
ArmiStice.
SHOOTING OIL HUNG

WASHINGTON, March 30.-The em'
peror of Japan has declared an uncon-
ditional armistice. the news being con-
frmed at the Japanese legation, where
it was stated that a cablegram to this
effect had been received from the home
government. China made the Of
fer of the arnistice and the
peace plenipotentiaries of Japan were
empowered by the emperor to accept
it without condition. This was done
in view of the unexpected event" that
happened, viz, the attempted assassi-
nation Of Ii Hung Chang. The armis-
tice, Minister Kurino, of the Japanese
legation, said, will be effective until
the peace negotiations are concluded.
After a meeting of the peace
ambassadors had been decided on
China requested the declara ton of an
armistice, but this request had not been
acted upon favorably by Japan. His
government, Minister Kurino said, had
not been inclined to stop war-like oper-
ations except on certain conditions.
These conditions are not known, but
it is suggested that probably the occu-
patton of Taku might have been one.
Japan wishing something as a guaran-
tee of the willingness and earnest
ness of the Japanese for an amicable
settlement of the war China evidently
could not arrive at q conclusion to
agree to the stipulations 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, how
ever.
The power of the Japanese govern
ment to execute the armistice will now
be put to a practical test. The mill
tary power of Japan, in the Judgment
of the 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 su bmit
to an armistice, even if the
civil authorities ordered one. To
meet this emergency a change of
army commanders was recently
made. There have been three army
corps operating in different campaigns
and each under general of supreme
authority over his particular campaign.
! About three weeks ago, in anticipa-
ton of the armistice, Prince Komatsu
was created commander-in-chief over
! all the armies The effect 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 simultaneous cessation
| of hostilities by the armies.
It now remains to be seen whether
| Prince Komatsu can execute the i'm
portant commission given to him. The
splendid discipline shown by the army
| during the war gives assurance that
| there will be immediate acquiescence
by the military. And yet Prince Ko-
matsu has to contend with war spirit,
| inflamed by many victories. 1t has
been said that an arnistice would be
so unpopular among the people and
soldiery that it would assure the polit-
ical retirement of Japan's 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 regarding the
arrnistice is as follows: ''On the open
ing of the negotiations the Chinese
plenipotentiary proposed an arp1istice,
which Japan was willing to accept on
certain conditions. While this nego-
tiation was going on, the outward
event happened on the person of the
Chinese plenipoteD tiary. His majesty,
the emperor, in view of this unhappy
occurrence, commanded the Japanese
plenipotentiaries to consent to tempo
rary armistice without conditions.
This was communicated to the Chinese
plenipotentiary."
The declaration of an armistice was
most welcome news to the Chinese le-
cation. There was some doubt as to
the meaning of the term ''uncondi-
tional'' armistice, although this was
accepted as meaning that recent
events. including probably the shoot
ing of Prince Lii, had induced the en-
voys to agree to an armistice before
agreeing exactly on terms of peace. 1t
is felt that the arrangement of these
terms will still be a difficult task. The
feeling in the interior of China, where
the direct effects of the war have not
been felt, is very strong against ces-
sion of territory. Moreover, the pay
ment of cash indemnity will necessi
tate the imposition of heavy taxes or
the people and consequent depression
These considerations, together with
the recent losses and ravae es of war
make the commercial revival of China
so problematic that the officials would
not discuss it beyond mentioning the
, difficulties in the way of restoration
of commerce and internal prosperity.
To Improve Football