The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-22


Tokyo. May 10-Per steamer Empress os
India 20 Victoria, May 2l.-History has
moved with extraordinary rapidly during
the past two weeks. The newly estAo4.sn-
ed peace has been endangered ana ccm-
plications OF far greater magnitude taah
any produced by The contest between
China and Japan aave threatened to'ln-
yolve al least three European powers
in a desperate struggle for supremacy IN
Eastern Asia For several days the attl-
tude of Japan indicated resolution 10
set the enormous odds against her At de-
fiance. Then, with suddenness which the
most warchful Observers are puzzled 70
explain, the spirit OF resistance suosidsd
and complete Submission was promised
10 the harsh demands OF the hostile
league. In spite OF the avowed willing
ness 10 yield 10 superior force, an unlock
ed-for delay on the part Of China in meet
ing her obligations awakened fears OF
revived conflict between the Asian en-
pires but al the last moment this cali
amity was ayerted and no further appre-
tensions OF war are entertained. Much
remains to be adjusted by the diplomatic
agencies, and grave domestic dissensions
In Japan are more than possible, but no
resort to arms IS angicip4,ed j" any QUO r
ter.
Although most exciting events have
been in progress since the las, week Of
April, the people OF Japan have 10 This
Gay only vague suspicion Of their na-
ture. Nothing has been made public, and,
so far as am aware. only one American
journalist. the correspondent of the AssO-
ciated Press and the New York World
has been permitted to share the secrets
of The government. What | am about 10
relate Will. therefore. be understood as
stiil unknown In this part Of the world
except 10 official and diplomatic circles.
An outline Of the fdc,s has been freely
sent abroad, but the general community
In Japan remains in utter ignorance.
As soon as the government was inform
ed Of the determination OF Russia. Ger
many and France 10 forbid the acquis-
itlon OF territory by the Japanese on the
continent, the majority Of the cabinet
ministers assembled at Kioto 10 which
city the emperor had transferred his
court from Hiroshima. and measures were
taken to ascertain how far the menaces
OF the allies were seriously intended The
communications originally handed to the
foreign Office al Tokyo were 10. couched
IN peremptory language, but the manner
or their delivery plainly showed that II
the advice" they contained was NOT fol-
lowed, Compulsi0n would be applied with
very little delay. Reports from Japanese
representatives at European capitals
brought additional proof that the powers
were thoroughly in earnest The Rus
sian and French governments were firm
IN their declaration that Japan must re-
nounce Manchurian territory. while the
tone adopted by Germany was so inten-
perate as 10 awaken the suspicion that
she was bent upon forcing a quarrel
with or without regard 20 the pretext set
FNaa far.
gain the cooperation OF IfrCIt P-.lliu in
opposing the league. and there are
grounds for believing that IL they had
succeeded desperate resistance would
have been offered. But neither England
nor any other great power could no in
ouced 20 take up arms on JapaD's he
haf. Kindly messages were received
from Ita!y, giving assurance that II the
United states would offer mediation. the
southern European kingdom woul1 act
IN concert. but II soon appeared that la
pan had only her own resource 70 rely
upon. When this was fully realized the
government straightway decided ~ avoid
further contest and devote It's energies
70 securing the best terms Of acconroo-
9adoH. rms decision. however. was not
0lVulged 70 any one but the ministers In
immediate attendance up0n the sovoreis,,,
Tnose who remained In Tokyo, as we'll as
an the subordinate officials. were lef, IN
doubt as 20 the contemplated purnoso
anu most or them rather gathered tho
impression that a long ana strong str,,r-
Ele would take place before anv SIGN ~
yielding would he given
Until the expiration ~ tbe ,r,,,..,..
or n least until tho ratiacations nF - =
treaty with China were exchanged -,
couid nos properly be called lloor =, -
care nerseit. and "a the meantime d,.s-
troUs diplomacy might find means Of ,,,,
proving the Japanese position or weaken
ing that ol ths confedorates. The min
iSirfS IN Moo were busily engaged in
this very work every one honei ana 10
lieved. In point OF fact. however Iii.
eHective vas done IN this direction 7, is
understood that almost from the hopfr-
ming the emperor's advisers were f- fa,or
ot submitting. with the solitary oxraD-
tion OF Niscount Mutsu who oDnoss.4
his associates With all the force ne eoui5
command. but whose distressing Illness
msdN 10 impossible for him 20 xiai9 bfs
customary influence. Not only tbs h.o5s
ot most OF the civl departments. but tha
military and naval leaders. agreed as 70
the fuulity az resistance ana ,ha reeae-
sity - speedy surrender. Their reasons
for The adoption or this remarkahIa course
are yet 10 be heard. hut. whatever fhe
eNplaHa lions be. . is certain that y cir
countfymen Wiu not forgive them for
what will be denounced "a a sacrifice Of
national honor. when ihe truth IS unfva~-
sally known.
Gen. Yamagata. head os the war cfl-a
WAS dispatched in haste 70 Nan~hlgrfa
20 notify the chiefs Of the armies OF vhat
was in store and 70 gather their oDi-ion
as 20 the expedisncy OF yielding without
a struggle, His own mind was made uo
before he started from japan. and ha
seems 20 have found li,tle difficulty in con-
vecyius most Or The corps commanders -
his views. Some of them. however. are
said 70 have objected strenuously. Gen.
<ozu and Lieut.. Gen. NamaW went so
II the orders 20 retire were sent them.
ground 20 ,he poin; OK death Tats mo-
meutary ou>hurst OF iasubor5Ia3 tlon v.Ii
probably NOT he remembered 10 thet- dis
advantage. TIE expectation that the
gverumert would maintain Outrageous
front as long as defiance vas possible
was streug gtheUe3 on May g. when lt was
learned that China had asked that thA
3ste for exchanging Publications should
Pc dsf rrr5 Ten days. and the raQu esq haH
been Sharply refused. As Il conid not ha
dauotd that China acted a. fhe iustsga-
tEan ~ the adverse powers. this emphati>
response indicated anything but disu1-
si.Iou 20 quail -. lkeV So. di3 tAe de-
-~ee - th6 war department on the sa-ua
esy. suneeanluE all the reserves in q h05v
for active service and ordering the re-
n fe~-s nleut ~ the Carrisons il Nez8
WhNe tt appeared jrcfe1!ele tha. Taoau
~eufd drrsa ~ joining issna wlth the
-h-ea giants. % vas hoped thAt q nay
has aeea dis svsrcd % war3 or th. i'm
fs~v ftug DAGGER rgulN e fsH1}ta a1lo8u~e-
r7eat 90 the governments purpose could