The herald., 1895-04-27
Russia, France and Germany in
the Orient
AN OUTLOOK FOR TROUBLE
Object Of Foreign Interference Is to
Start New War
1t Is Thought That the Effect Will Be to
Induce China to Reopen HostiIities
and Prolong the War

I bONDVANp hDill -DlISOe anu pOSlblNt
information from official sources is at
hand concerning the exact negotiations
between Russia, France and Germany on
one hand and Japan on the other.
The French. Russian and German min.
listers separately interviewed the japanese
vice-minister for foreign affairs, under in
structions from their respective govern
.nents aud presented memorandum in
which it was stated that the governments
! OF Russia, France and Germany, upon
examining the terms of peace imposed by
Japan upon China, have found that the
| possession of the peninsula of Lai Tung,
claimed by Japan. would be constant
menace to the capital of China and at the
same time would threaten the indepen-
dence of Corea and render it non effectual
in fact. In this sense and for other reas-
ons, it would be, it was stated, a constant
menace to tie perman' MT peace OF the far
East.
Consequently the governments of
France, Russia and Germany, desiring to
show their sincere friendship for the gov
eminent of Japan advises it to renounce
i the absolute and final possession of the
peninsula of Lao Tung.
| The memoranda of the three govern
ments make it plain that they were pre-
sented in the way of friendly advice to
the Japanese government and are not in
tended in any way to convey any open or
covert menace. The impression is gain
| ing ground that Japan can rely upon the
| friendly counsel of the United States at
| the present moment. Great Britain and
Italy have made it plain that they
| do not intend to follow the example of
| Russia. France and Germany and the
| 90, oio1i ,afo of ho JTnitoi
| States in the far east, in which the Japan
Chinese treaty of peace would largely
benefit, no less than the constant attitude
of the United States toward Japan, lead
| diplomats TO believe the United States at
this juncture will not fail to make use of
its good office, in such a manner as will
prevent Japan from being deprived of the
fruits of her victory
The treaty of peace has already been
ratified by the Emperor OF Japan, and it
would be extremely difficult to make any
change. The OILY effect of Russia
France and Germany's attitude muse be
to encourage the party in China, which
is opposed to any moderate and reason
able settlement, and thus to prolong the
war indefinitely. 1t may be stated in the
most positive terms that the reports thus
far circulated regarding Japan's reply to
the powers are not correct. The reply had
not been sent as late as the evening of the
Goth, and from limitations received from
the highest and most reliable sources here
it may be stated that the reply. while
moderate and concilatory iii tone, will
not contain any recession from what
Japan regards as rightfully her due.
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Times telegraphs: Russia has requested
the Chinese government to delay for a
few days the ratification of the peace
commission entered into by the Chinese
and japanese. plenipotentiaries at Shi
monoseki. believe that Japan was sur
prised by the protests made by Russia,
France and Germany against the perman-
ent annexation by the japanese of the
territory on the Chinese mainland. The
dispatch of the latest japanese expe-
dition to Port Arthur was ordered for the
purpose OF allaying the discomfort that
exists in that portion OF the army, which
has not shared in the honors of the cam
paign, and also to force the Pekin gov
eminent to ratily the peace of treaty."
A Pekin Dispatch to the Times says it
is the session of the southern Manchuria
as provided for in the treaty of peace
that is chiefly opposed in the Chinese
capital. The agreement to this end made
by Lii Hung grieves the emperor because
the province of Manchuria is the ances-
trail portion OF the empire. There is less
opposition regarding the cession of the
island of Formosa. which is a new prov
ince. The other articles of the treaty are
regarded as bearable.
Sevearl governors and some of the gen.
earls opposed submission to the public
proclamation that has been made.
LONDON. April ga dispatch to the
Standard from BERLIN says the National
Zeitung declares that Japan must not be
allowed to drive German trade out of
China nor to acquire permanent mill
tary footing in China, such as would en-
able her to shut the door in Germany's
face, perhaps in agreement with the
United States.
WASHINGTON, April g. - Minister
Kurino of Japan today. gave an Associat-
ed Press agent very significant interview
on the eastern question. He said that in
his opinion the commercial inter ests of
the United States in the east particularly
with Japan are more extensive and i'm
portant than those of Germany or
France. and it would be eminently desr-
able in the event of Franco-G German al
lance with Russia to prevent q consum-
nation of the peace treaty Tor the United
States to take an active part of settling
such an alliance. Kurino wished it clear
ly understood, however, that he had not re-
ceived any instructions from his govern
ment, and there had been no suggestion
of an official or unofficial character from
him to the state department that the
United States should be enlisted in its
support. His views were the result of his
personal information of the extent of the
United States interests in the east.
The commercial interests of the
United States" said Minister Kurino
ARE very much greater in Japan than
those of Germany and France. Practic-
ally their interests are little or nothing.
while those of the United States are very
extensive. The British trade comes first
and then the trade of the United States.
1t would be eminently proper, therefore,
if the United States, in considera
ton of her superior commercial in
terests, should offset "a demonstration
on the part of the French and Germans
if any such move is actually made. / am
not officially informed that it has been
made nor am apprehensive of the move
should it be made. But in the event of
it's being realized then there is little
doubt in my opinion that the Commercial
interests of the United States would make
it expedient to take part in the issue.
This. of course. would not mean that the
United States was to engage in fight.
Its cooperation would undoubtedly be
effective without any radical step
A telegram received at the Japanese
legation states that his imperial majesty
the emperor of japan, has conferred upon
Minister Kurino. the decoration of the
second class of the Order of the Rising
Sun. This decoration is on account of
his services in the negotiation of the COM
mercial treaty with the United States.
The Rising Sun is one of the Oldest
orders in Japan.
YOKOHAMA, April 26.-The demand
ID "A EA~.,