Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-30
The State Department Officially In
formed of the Armistice.
A GREAT RELIEF 10 NAVAL OFFICERS
Gossip as to the Negotiations for
a Permanent Peace.
PRINCE LIS CONDITION

Secretary Gresham has received by cable
the declaration of an unconditional armis-
tice by the Emperor Of Japan. 1t is not
understood here that this is in any sense
equivalent to a declaration of peace, but 1t
Is believed that there is not likely to be q
resumption of hostilities. The negotiations
may continue for q long time before q
peace treaty is signed. and 1t is quite GER
tain that Japan will abate none Of her de-
mands on account of the armistice. In
fact, the granting of the latter ID looked
upon as shrewd move by the japanese
Emperor to diminish the harmful effect Of
the attack upon Ii Hung Chang. II the
war were prosecuted now 1t would have the
effect to force the peace negotiations to a
speedy conclusion, and It is realized by the
japanese that In the present state Of feel
ing caused by the attack they could scarce
ly insist upon as good terms Of peace as
can be realized after the lapse Of a few
weeks, when the first impression will have
worn of.
It is noted here, with interest, that the
terms of the armistice do not apply to the
lower coast Of China, and particularly to
Fermosa and the Fisher Islands. This %
taken to mean that the japanese have de-
termfned to occupy Formosa before the
peace negotiations are complete, and the
explanation of this purpose Is found in the
fact that Is almost an invariable rule of in.
ternational law, that q nation must be In
ritory as a basis for a demand for it's ces-
SIGN.
Omcials Here Gratiaed.
ohicials here indicate their gratification
at the prospects of a settlement of the
war between the two countries but diplo-
matically refrained from any expression Of
opinion. At the Navy Department it u
said that the cessation of hostiHties win be
a great relief to the naval officers ON duty
on that station. who have been on the
rush ever since the war began. and have
been subjected to many hardships and de-
privations on account Of the unusual sever
fty Of the winter.
At the japanese Legation.
The japanese legation has heard nothing
further upon the subject Of the peace ar
mistice since the communication received
yesterday. 1t Is the impression Of the ON
cials at the legation that the negotiations
for a final settlement Of the questions at
issue between the two countries will pro-
ceed in satisfactory manner. - 80
OF cou1r the present armistice IL but
temporary one. pending the arrange
ment Of the peace negottations 1t II prob
able that the illness of II Hung Chnng.
consequent upon the wound he received
recently, may delay negotiations somewhat,
unless he should recover very rapidly. but
in any event, the cessation Of hostilitfes
is considered to be welcome to China II
the efforts to arrange satisfactory terms
for declaring the war at an end should fail
the armistice would cease and hostilties
would be recommended.
The Next Move.
The officials Of the Japanese legation be-.
lieve that the next step will be the issuance
Of proclamation by Japan. and unofficial
word has already reached the legation that
this has been done. Confidence is expressed
that the emperor's proclamation will be
accepted at once by the armies. There is
telegraph communication with the various
divisions at Port Arthur. New Chwang and
Wei-Hai-Wei. although 1t takes twelve
hours to reach the last named point.
Prince LIS Condition.
The Chinese legation has received
cablegram from. Pekin, stating that the
condition of Ii Hung Chang is still q mat
ter of doubt. The authorities regard the
information as presenting a later phase
than that recent report which dismissed
the wound as OF slight Importance. 1t does
not express fears Of serious results. but
the tenor Of the dispatch is to indicate
that it is still too early to feel assured that
Prince LII Is entirely out OF danger. The
cable was evidently sent from Pekin prior
to the announcement Of an armistice, az Il
contains no reference to that fact. nor had
the legation received other official con-
part Of today.
The Terns Of Peace.
Now that the suspension Of hosttlities has
been directed there 10 o renewal Of inter.
est as to the terms Of peace to follow.
While there is no definite information ON
the subject at the Chinese legation the
opinion prevails that the money indemnity
will be paid largely In silver. That is the
metal In common use in China Those most
familiar with China say that there Is no
gold coin in circulation, although the coun-
try has heretofore purchased large supplies
Of gold bars. and from this accumulation
has made heavy gold exports.