Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-05

l VI O1c SOHAcAChSS 0SSW eAc 6fA
and Count Ito, OF Japan, at Shimono-
seki, in March andaAnriL 1s90, onaLae
! occasion Of the settlement between the
two countries after the Chinese-Japan-
| csc war. Just prior to the first con-
ference, on April 10th, Earl Ii had
suffered severely from a wound in
flicted by an attempted assassin, and
| he went into the momentous business
practically an Invalid, or aIsleast a
convalescent. Japan had grown tired
of Chinese delays, and Count Ito had
received instructions that there must
be a speedy and satisfactory SETTLE
ment. Here is an interesting portion
Of the conversation beween the two
distinguished men, representing, the
one a defeated nation of four hundred
million people, the other a victorious
one Of forty millions:
Li-Ffrst, as to an indemnity of 200, 900, 600
yen, we cannot bear that enormous bur-
den.
Ito-If the war goes on, indemnity will
be more.
Lift we cannot pay this, much less can
We pay more. Pray reduc
Ito-1mpossible.
1.-the sum offeredin my proposal about
covers your war expenses. To meet your
present demand we should have to make a
foreign loan and pay heavy interest.
Ito-Your proposal mentions a twenty
yaor 1nat1 Ma1ra a. f@rt ,.oorc NJ, 80
payments will be lighter.
Li-Will you make us such a loan?
Ito-Can't manage it.
1.-the war will ruin China's credit.
Ito-China has boundless resources.
Li-Undeveloped.
Ito-Borrowing money to pay the indem-
nifty Is China's affair.
Li-What If we cannot pay?
Ito-Further abatement is impossible.
Li-Once for all, | ask for reduction.
Ito-No.
Lift the first installment, whatever 1t
may be, is paid in full, interest should be
waived.
Ito-If the whole indemnity is paid with
in two years no interest will be charged.
Lift not entirely paid (iA two years.
will you waive interest on the balance?
Ito-Yes, if small.
1t will be observed that upon both
sides the talk was directly to the point.
There was no diplomatic attempts at
evasion. The n pleaded for ieniency
for his defeated country; the other up
on the terms the victor is entitled to
insist upon. Earl Lii continued to
plead for some concession or consid-
Grafton. Finally he said:
LII must still press for a reduction of
the indemnity by 50,e00,O 00, and we cannot
give up Formosa.
Ito-In that case we must move upon
Formosa Immediately.
That was U. S. Grant over again,
when the famous General said: Il pro-
pose to move Immediately upon your
works." The Japanese mind was fully
made UP. But Earl Ii was still argu-
mentative. He rejoined:
Li-You will find Formosa difficult to
take. 1t is very malarious. Most of the
Formosans smoke opium IN order to coun-
teract the effects of malaria.
lto-When we take Formosa we shall
forbid opium smoking. We have kept
opium out of Japanese ports, and have
consequently no opium smokers
Lii admire that. Great Br! ain insists
upon bringing opium into our ports.
A later interview was full of pathos.
Earl Lii said in the course of the dis
cussion:
Lii have received an imperial COM
mand to settle this business at my discre-
ton. But the difficulties are so formidable
that | do not see my way clear at all. Will
you not come to my aid?
Ito-Your excellency is better situated
than l am. Your high RANK and prestige
canno be shaken, whereas our par ,ment
may call upon me to account for any er.
ror | may commit.
Li-And if l sign this grewsome treaty
l am certain TO bring down an avalanche
of cursing on my head. Think OF 1t! Do
not be exacting. Pray give way a little
and we can conclude the treaty. l mus.
save at least a hair. z
Ito-On neither count can we yie.d one
lila.
LII shall not forget this hard and re-
~lentless treatment. If you will yield moth
:lg of the indemnity you can at least
waive interest. Can you enter in the
treaty that if the debt is paid III two years
Interest will be waived?
Ito (after long meditation)-If you dis
charge the entire amoLnt within three
years the interest already paid can be
reckoned as part of the pr!ucipal.
This settled it. Japan was in a posi-
ton to force her demands to the ut
termost, and China had to yield. Vir-
tual.y the same thing will happen later
on, as a result OF the late unpleasant
ness, If China preserves her integrity.
She will have to pay, and the two hun
dred million yen Japan demanded will
be a mere Dagatelle as compared with
the sums the powers will demand as
compensation.