The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-10

King of Corea was preparing dispatch,
asking for the intercession of the United
s aid IL Of was @ at es TO oense ssN be
taken, a similar dispatch was sent TO each
of the foreign representatives. Meantime.
Mr.. sill had Joined with his colleagues,
the representatives of England, Russia and
France (the German minister waiting for
advices from his governmenp, in request
to the Japanese and Chinese authorities for
a simultaneous withdrawal of troops.
At this point Charles DENLY, our charge
at Pekin, enters the field in report TO
Secretary Gresham describing preparations
for war; and saying that the action OF
Japan is criticised there as hasty and un-
duly beleose n on uy ibe the stae pepart
ment, and. by direction of his government,
appealed TO Secretary Gresham TO call
Denby on July 8. cabled that the Niceroy
desired him to telegraph Washington TO
take the initiative in urging me levers sei,s
eminent TO withdraw its troops from Co.
minister at Washington had capled his
government that Secretary Gresham had
advised him to protest against the demand
of the Japanese minister Qor great re-
forms) made under duress, and 10 notify
the Foreign Minister Secretary Gresham
very promptly cabled a denial SAYING tnat
he had told the Corean minister our govern,
ment could not entertain the proposal and
not advising Corea to protest and notify
the powers.
GRESHAM III bA1AtND
On July ., Secretary Gresham sent long
letter to ambassador Bayard, at London.
giving the statement of what had occurred
in Washington, and the extent to which our
government had exercised its good offices
in the interest of peace He tells of the
appeals of the Corean minister, and says
that he had informed him that while the
United States sympathized with Corea. he
must maintain absolute impartiality; could
exert our influence with Japan in friendly
way, and in no way could interfere jointly
with other powers. He also details an in
terview he had with the japanese minister
here in which he had informed the minister
that it would be very gratifying to the
United States if Japan would deal kindly
and fairly with her feeble neighbor, whose
helplessneSS enlisted our sympathy. In
swer TO the appeal OF the Chinese minister,
the Secretary replied that a course was open
to China which had been adopted by other
powers. namely, an offer to settle by friend
ly arbitration. Next follows an account at
great length of the Kow Shing incident. of
the formal declaration of war last August,
and of the placing of Chinese and Japanese
subjects under United states protection
On Oct. 8, Mr.. GoSchen, the British charge
here, telegraphed from New London, TO as
ment would join with England. Germany,
France and Russia in intervention on the
basis of the guarantee of Corean independ-
ence, and a war indemnity to Japan, but
six days later, Secretary Gresham replied
that while the President earnestly desired
that China and Japan should agree upon
terms Of peace. alike honorable to both.
and not be humbling to Corea. he could
not join the powers in an Intervention. To
this Mr.. Goschen replied that the interven-
tion contemplated would be limited to
diplomatic action and only in event of
suitable opportunity presenting itself.
On Nov. 2S Mr.. DENLY cabled. at tha
peal 10 the President to do China the great
favor TO intervene to stop war, and re-
establish peace In reply. Mr.. Gresham
that sincere friendship which the United
States constantly desires to show towards
China. the President directs that you inti-
mate his readiness to tender his good offices
toward bringing the present war with Japan
to a close on terms alike honorable to both
nations. should he be assured that such a
tender would be acceptable to both"
AT the same time he cabled Minister Dun
the following dispatch. which, in view of
recent events. seems full OF prophesy: ''The
endangers no policy of the United States
in Asia. Our attituCe toward the belliger-
ents is that of an impartial and friendly
neutral. desiring the welfare of both II
the struggle continues without check 10
Japans military operations land and
sea. it is not improbable that the powers
having interests in that quarter may de-
mand settlement not favorable to Japans
future security and well being. Cherishing
the most IrlenulN sentiments OF regard for
Japan. the President directs that you as
certain whether a tender of his good Office
i'm the interests of a peace alike honorable
10 both nations would be acceptable TO the
government in Toxic"
Two days later he cabled Mr.. Denby that
while the President preferred to act alone
he would act Jointly with other powers IL
Japan consented. to determine the amount
OF indemnity. After some further corre-
spondence. showing that China anxious
to accept our good offices on the terms pro-
posed, Mr.. Dun transmits. under date of
Nov. II, very courteouSly-worded note
from the Japanese government practically
declining the offer. ON Nov. Il the Japan
ese government requests that If China de-
sires to approach Japan upon the subject
OF peace. IL shall be done through the
United States legation at Peking. TO which
Secretary Gresham asSentel. Mr.. DENLY
writes that China received this proposition
with pleasure though he gave him 10 un-
derstand that he proposed to act simply as
an intermediary. stating the basis of nego-
tiations and leaving them TO arrange the
details. On the 2Sd he cahled that China
had made through him. direct overtures
for peace on the basis OF Corean independ-
ence and war indemnity.
Some part of the correspondence al this
point Is devoted 10 a history of the at
tempt at settlement of the war through
Mr. Deitring. and his rejection by the
Japanese on tho ground of insufficient Gre
dentials. and the Story of our Intervention
winds up with the fpw feIea from Mr.