Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-10
THE CRINESE-JAPANESE WAR
Part Played by the United States in At
tempting to End It
An Offer of Friendly Mediation to
Japan at China's Request, Which
Was Courteously Declined.

The State Department has just published
an appendix to the volume Of foreign re-
latfons Of 1894, comprising history Of the
Chinese-Japanese war, the correspondence
relative to the enforcement of regulations
respecting fur seals, affairs at Bluefields
ana the Mosquito territory, the old Mora
claim, reciprocity correspondence with Co.
lombia. Hayti and Venezuela and corre-
spondence concerning affairs in Samoa.
With the exception of the first named all
OF these subjects have been fully treated
and documents supplied to Congress in
answer to resolutions during the last ses-
sion. While valuable from a historical
point OF view, the main interest here in
the correspondence Is found in those dis
patches that indicate the part PLAYED by
the United States in its efforts to prevent
war between China and Japan, and after
ward to bring about mediation.
On November q Mr.. DENLY cabled at the
expense of the Chinese government an ap-
peal to the President to do China the great
favor to intervene to stop war and re-es-
tablish peace.
A Tender of Friendly Offices.
In reply Mr.. Gresham cabled November
rs as follows: Prompted by that sincere
friendship which the United States con-
stantly desire to show toward China, the
President directs that you intimate his
readiness to tender his good Offices toward
bringing the present war with Japan to a
close on terms alike honorable to both ma
tions should he be assured that such a
tender would be acceptable to both" At
the same time he cabled Minister Dunn as
follows: THE deplorable war between Jap
an and China endangers no policy of the
United States in Asia. Our attitude toward
the belligerents Is that of an impartial and
friendly neutral, desiring the welfare Of
both; II the struggle continues without
check to Japans military operations on
land and sea,it is not improbable that other
powers having interests in that quarter
may demand a settlement not favorable to
Japans future security and well-being.
Cherishing the most friendly sentiments of
regard for japan. the President directs
that you ascertain whether a tender of his
good offices in the interests of a peace
alike honorable to both nations would be
acceptable to the government at Tokyo"
The Offer Declined.
Two days later he cabled Mr.. DENLY that
while the President preferred to act alone,
he would act Jointly with other powers, If
Japan consented, to determine the amount
of Indemnity. After some future CORE
spondence showing that China was anxious
to accept our good offices on the terms pro-
posed. Mr. Dunn transmits under date of
November II very courteously worded
note from the japanese government prac-
tfcally declining the offer. 1t speaks OF the
success attending the Japanese arms as
relieving the government of the necessity
OF invoking the cooperation of the powers
to stop hostilties, and says that the limits
guaranteeing Japan the just and reason
been reached until China approaches Japan
directly upon the subject. This course was
followed and resulted in the conclusion of
a treaty of peace.