Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-07-09
DIPLOMAT FOSTER.
Talks of the Situation in China
and Japan.
LOOKS FOB A PERMANENT PEACE.

All Sin Carrying Ou. the Treaty with
scTupuIous Good Faith, and Has Plenty
of fResources-Comments on the Action
Orient Bitterly Criticize Their Govern
ment for Its N0n-Inte rfersnce.
WASHINGTON, July 9.-Ex-Secretary 0. OF
State John w. Foster has arrived in WASH
ington from China, where he has taken
conspicuous part in the diplomatic
branch OF the Chins.Japan conflict. He
Is fatigued with his long journey, but is
btherwise in vigorous health, notwitE-
standing the hardships incident to the
close of tho eastern war. Mr.. Foster
would not consent to an interview until
he rested and examined his baggage. He
brings fund of Information on the status
Of the Japanese.C Chinese struggle and the
interesting details Of the peace negotia-
tions in which he took a personal part.
Believes the Peace Is Permanent.
Later, in answer to inquiries, Foster
made statement in which he said there
was good reason to expect permanent
peace between Japan and China as the
result of tine treaty Of Shimonoseki. The
terms demanded By Japan might under
the circumstances be regarded as reason
able, especially IN view of the retrocession
OF Lilo Tung peninsula. The treaty has
been observed and carried out by China
with scrupulous good faith. Her conduct
In this respect has created a very favor
able impression in Japan. The loan just
concluded through Russian influence will
enable China to pay the first two INSTALL
ments of the indemnity. These two in
stallments cover half of the indemnity,
and the balance, extending over six
years, Will be a comparatively easy burden
for the Chinese government, IL any skill
Is shown IN the management Of the i'm
perial revenues.
China Has Plenty OF Resources.
The country has plenty OF resources
md has never yet failed in its financial
engagements. Hence the peace concluded
ut Shimonoseki Is not likely to be broken
on account of the shortcomings Of China.
II a rupture occurs 1t is more likely to be
brought about by the intermeddling of
the European powers. The intervention
OF Russia on account of tho terms of
peace was not unexpected, and is not un-
natural in view Of her predominating in
terest in the Orient, especially on the
North Pacific coast OF Asia. That France
followed the lead of Russia created no
surprise IN the East, but that Germany
should unite with them in u display of
forcc against Japan was entirely unex-
pcctcd, and is not yet understood.
Uncle Sans Work Was tho hest.
British residents Of China and Japan
nrc very bitter in criticising their gov
crnment for its abstention in the matter
They nllegc that its failure to join with
the other powers in rearranging the terms
has lost for their country prestige and has
left Russia free hand in its influence
md control u. Pcking. or all the coun.
tries automatically concerned in the con.
tost the United States has como out of 1t
with better grace than any other. From
the first her interest has been recognized
by both bclligcrents as purely disinter.
cstcj, her only desire being to render
such service rs would bring about last
ing and honorable peace. Tho conduct Of
the state department. in its very delicate
relations with both combatants has been
marked by good Judgment and by few
mistakes.
Wants to Stay at Home Now.
Being asked why he declined the invit.
alton to remain in China as the adviser
OF tho government Foster said he had
spent the greater portion Of the past
twenty-five years in foreign lands. and,
while his residence abroad has been gen.
orally n pleasant one. he had found nc
country cqu,l 10 his native land and he
desired to spend the remainder of his life
I'm his native country. He confessed that
IL the invitation had come five or ten
years earlier he would probably not have
declined ii.