Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-12
CHINA AND JAPAN
Speculation as to the Terms of Peace Be-
lieved to Be Agreed Upon.
Arranged Through the Medium of the
United States Ministers-EurO-
peans Powers Interested.

The brief cable announcement from Japan
that China has accepted the terms on which
Japan is willing to conclude peace has re-
newed keen interest in the situation in the
far east. Neither the japanese nor Chinese
legations have as yet any information that
the negotiations have reached this ad-
vanced stage. 1t is stated by the officials
at both legations that Prince Ii Hung
Chang, the Chinese peace envoy, has not
yet left Tien-Tsin. His trip to Japan is to
be accompanied with great pomp and cere-
mony, and until he puts his signature to
the treaty there will be no actual con-
clusion of peace and no cessation of hostili-
ties. 1t is believed, however, that the gen.
eral understanding on the terms of peace
is for the purpose of paving the way to
Prince Lis trip, in order that it may not
result in the humiliating failure which met
the efforts of the last Chinese peace en-
voys. This is the view expressed here by
the officials and diplomats most conversant
with the situation.
Probable Terms.
United States Minister Dun, at Toxic,
and DENLY, at Pekin, have been in constant
communication with view to bringing the
two belligerents together. and it is not
doubted that the general understanding on
terms is through this mediation. These
terms have taken wide range, although
Japan has never stated officially just what
she expected. 1t is known, however, that
two of the conditions are the independence
of Corea and a cash indemnity. The third
condition refers to territorial extension,
and as to this there has been great differ
ence of opinion, even in Japan. The radical
press demand the permanent cession to
Japan of all the territory she has overrun
by her army and navy. This would include
the great naval stations of Pert Arthur
and Wei-Hai-Wei, and the valuable stretch
of territory along the north of the Gulf of
Pechili. The more moderate element in
Japan limits its territorial demands to the
Island of FormOSa.
European Powers May Want Hear
ing.
Should the radical demands be pressed it
Is believed the great powers of Europe will
want to be heard before the treaty is con-
cludcd. Russia has growied menacingly of
late at the suggestion that her eastern
possessions were about to be hemmed in by
circle of Japanese territory. 1t is under
stood here that Japan has earnestly tried
to learn Russia's purposes. but without en-
tire success. 1t is believed, however, that
Russia is chiefly concerned in securing
harbor in the northeast of Corea, as her
present harbor at Nladivostock is closed by
ice half of the year, while a Corean har-
Dor would give her an outlet to the sea the
year round. Such an outlet is considered
imperative as Il part of The great Siberian
railway.
The Cash Indemnity.
The cash indemnity to be paid Japan is
variously estimated at from one billion to
five hundred million yen. Al the present
rate of exchange the silver yen is worth
about 80 cents and the gold yen about 81.
1t is not yet determined what coin will be
used in payment. In either case it will
make heavy inroads on the money metals
of the world, the total will be ten
twenty times greater than the proceeds of
the United States bond sales. 1t is expect
ed that China would have little trouble in
borrowing the morey, as the great creditor
rations Of Europe appear to be ready and
anxious, to advance FUNDS on oriental Sc
curitieS.