The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-01-31
THE VIC7OR'S SPOILS.
Estimates of the Value of Ia.
pans Capture.
PEACE AGENT BOUND FOR JAPAN

august Ancestors OF China Disturbed in
Their Sacred Graves by Their Coun-
trymen's Defeats-Translation Of an
Alleged Imperial Rescript.
SAN Francisco, January "a. - The
steamer Peru arrived to-day, bringing
news from Toxic as follows:
The only change in the diplomatic
situation since last advices is the an
nouncement that Chang Wing Houen,
China's accredited agent, is actually on
his way to Japan, accompanied by sub
ordinate representative named Shao Yu
Lien. The senior messenger is believed
to be we'll chosen on account of his ex-
perience with Western nations, which
has undoubtedly relieved him of some
of the overweening conceit in which the
majority of housekeeping Chinese are
STEPPED. He has been Minister to the
United States, Spain and Peru, and may
be supposed to fairly understand the re-
sponsibilities of his new position. Shoa
Yu Lien is also better fitted for practical
politics than most of his class, having
served for awhile as Charge d'Affaires at
st. Petersburg. He is now at Shanghai,
awaiting his chief, who is reported to
have started from Peking week ago. If
it is found that these ENJOYS are author
lied to negotiate seriously, some progress
may be made toward defining the terms
of peace; but no amount of official re-
serve on the part of the Japanese au-
thorities can conceal that they expect
very little from the first meeting. The
capture of Wei Hal Wei, now regarded
az foregone conclusion, may, however,
again alter the aspect of affairs. Chinese
dignitaries move slowly III .hH,r own
country. and it is anticipated that Japan
will have occupied the naval station near
Che Foo before the sues for peace are
ready to leave their own country.
The present intention is that the con-
ference shall be held at Hiroshima. The
fact that Mr.. Foster will accompany the
Chinese ENJOYS in the capacity OF legal
adviser does not change the opinion of
the Japanese with respect to the SINGER
ity of China's intention. The rulers OF
the middle kingdom are as capable OF
deceiving their friends as their enemies,
if they think it expedient; and it is no
more certain that they will fully trust
their employees now than 1t was In Cor
don's time. The presence of MIR. Foster
cannot be taken as positive guarantee
of earnestness on the Chinese side.
An official statement of the valuable
spoils thus far taken from the Chinese
has been published by the Japanese gov
eminent. From this it appears that 6O7
large guns have changed ownership.
The estimated value OF these Is z, O0O,oOO
ven. The number of email arms Is ,4oO
worth $4,000 yen. Ammunition for large
runs, 100000 rounds, worth 3,OOO,OOo
ven. Ammunition for small arms, IT,
Boz, 900 rounds. Three ships OF war, one
medium and two small are rated at
1000, 900 yen. Most important OF all
are the arsenals, foundries and machin-
cry of every description secured at Port
Arthur and Talien. What the value OF
these will be to their possessors cannot
yet be calculated.
Foreign newspapers at Shanghai con-
tain translations Of an alleged imperial
rescript 80 extraordinary in character
that it's authenticity is scarcely credited,
although it appears to have been gwen
to the public through the regular chan
nels. It's tone and purport may be
Judged from the following extract:
'fThe Japanese have gained victory
after Victory and despoiled our territory
until our august ancestors in their sacred
graves are disturbed. This is because
we who rule the Empire are unworthy
and deficient in virtue, and have in
trusted the defense of the State to unfit
servants. If, however, it is our destiny
to suffer the worst evils and to witness
the defilement and destruction of the
revered affairs, there remains nothing
but for us to perish with them: When
that time comes, may you (Weng, Ii
Soa and Wen Shih) reverently lead the
Empress Dowager to safety in the West,
and provide for worthy succession to
the throne which we shall no longer fill.
Then may the sacred shrines OF our an.
cestors be purified and the disgrace OF
the nation be wiped away"
It is rumored that this edict was prl-
yately circulated in the palace at the be-
ginning of December last, and has be-
come known to the outer world through
treachery. But the genuineness OF so
remarkable document needs fuither
attestation.
otroAD lAAOnRTERC