Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-17
WAR TALK IN EUROPE
Russia Opposed to the Terms Of the
Eastern Peace.
POWERS MUST RATIFY TIE TREATY
Defensive and Offensive Alliance
Regarded as Impossible.
GENERAL TOPICS ABROAD
POWERS MUST RATIFY The TREATY
GENERAL TOPICS ABROAD

Standard from Vienna says that the in
spired st. Petersburg correspondent of the
Politische Correspondent, declares that a
conflict between Russia and Japan is in
evitable If the published details of the
Chinese-Japanese treaty Of peace are cor
rect.
In an editorial this morning on the Chi
nese-Japanese peace conference, the Stand
ard takes 1t for granted that Japan will
have to submit the draft of the peace
treaty to the European powers, just as
Russia did after the war with Turkey.
The Chronicle declares that an offensive
and defensive alliance between China and
Japan is impossible. It would be a de-
fiarce to Europe and a danger to the
world.
In an editorial this morning the Times
suggests that it is possible that the in
demnity which China is to pay Japan. ac-
cordinE 10 the terms of the peace con-
vention is f1OO.OOO,0O0 instead of Sl00,00O,-
OOO. as reported from Shanghai; though the
first mentioned sum, the paper says, would
be crushing fine. Continuing, the Times
says that the third clause of the conven-
tior, that providing for the retention by
Japan of the territory she has conquered
east of the Lao river, probably refers to
Haichow. in the province of KianSsu, and
the Island of Yuchow CO which It was re-
ported the Japanese had occupied before
the armistice was declared. The sixth and
last clause, providing for an offensive and
defensive alliance between Japan and
China, is. the Times declares, a vague
term, which will mean nothing for Japan
beyond what suits her convenience. 1t is
possible that this clause covers nothing
more than some commercial agreement;
which will undoubtedly include Favored
nation" treatment from China.
The Terms of Peace.
YOKOHAMA. April 1.-THE Jill (news-
cluded between China and Japan include
the cession of the territory from the Yalu
river to the Lao river on the southern por
ton of the Lao Tung peninsula. on which
Port Arthur and the regents are situated,
and including Yinkow, Hal Cheng and Chu
Lien Cheng; also the Island of Formosa
and the Pescadore Islands; an indemnity
the abolition of Chinese extra territoriality:
the preservation of Japanese extra terri
toriality and certain commercial privileges
for Japan.
TEN TSIN. April 17.-Japan's occupation
Of Port Arthur is temporary. thus securing
China's integrity on the mainland of Asia
after term of years. and avoiding the
possibility of European Intervention.
SHIMONOSEKI, April 17.-Vicercy Ii
Hung Chang. the Chinese peace envoy,
will embark for China today on board the
kung vi.
A Compromise Accepted.
The Chinese imperial edict sent by the
Associated Press last night from Tien-Tsin
is accepted among officials and diplomats
here as setting at rest the conflicting re-
ports as to final terms of peace, and as
showing that the first reports via London
were inaccurate in their details
The indemnity of 26O,OOOOOO taels is a
compromise. Japan first demanded 30O.-
0OO.OoO taels. but, on the solicitation of
Prince Ii, threw off 1OO,U0,oOO.
At the Chinese legation it is stated that
the tael varies in value, but that the pres
ent value of the customs treasury tael,
which is undoubtedly the one in which pay
inent will be made, is $50 in Mexican sill
yer, or about 10 cents in gold. This would
make the indemnity equivalent to $780,
COO,OOO Mexican silver, or $50 1000 600 in
gold. The Mexican trade dollar is the cur
rent coin of China, and the basis of cal
culaticn. SO that the belief is very strong,
though information on the subject is lack
Ing that the payment will be in silver.
Japan to Have Port Arthur.
The edict that Japan is to occupy the
Lao Tung peninsula up to the fortieth de-
gree of latitude settles the important point
hat she Is to have the great fortress of
Port Arthur and the Immediately surround
ing territory, as foreshadowed in The Star
The Lao Tung peninsula is small point
of land jutting southwark into the Gulf
of Pechili, with Port Arthur at its eX-
treme point. The fortieth degree of laa-
tude cuts across the mainland where the
little peninsula broadens into the MAIN
land of Manchuria. This lower peninsula
has the shape of a sword and is known as
Regents Sword"
Opening New Ports.
The permanent occupation of the Island
of Formosa has been settled for some time.
The opening of Pekin and four new ports
to commerce marks the introduction of
modern methods into the interior of China
Japan has gained the privilege of estab-
fishing her cotton and other factories in
China, but it remains to be seen whether
japanese capital will invest in these en-
terprises, or the Chinese will buy these
modern fabrics.
The edict makes a significant omission
as to the reported Japan-China alliance,
offensive and defensive, which, If con-
summated, would have given 1.-The orient
to the orientals.'
The Japanese and Chinese officials in
Washington have never credited the re-
mort of this alliance