The Times of Tuesday, April 16th, published a telegram from
Tientsin, dated that morning, announcing that peace had been signed that day at Simonoseki. The terms stated include those given below, plus another,—the conclusion of an alliance, "offensive and defensive," between Japan and China. This serious addition has created much dis- cussion, and there is a disposition to disbelieve it ; but it rests on the authority of a Chinese who accompanied his father-in-law, Li Hung Chang, to Japan ; and it is, we can see from the comments made, credited at St. Petersburg and Vienna, which latter alone among European capitals is unaffecte'd by the report. For reasons which we state at length elsewhere, we incline to believe it true, and a natural outcome of the situation. Indeed, it is only disbelieved because it may make Japan ten years hence so very formidable. There are stories of a Conference of Europe to consider the treaty, but Europe is too divided to act ; and no Power is immediately or directly baffled by the agreement, if it has been made, except Russia. We expect, therefore, to hear the mur- murs die away, or to be exchaxt ged for murmurs against "British perfidy," which has consisted in advising collected Europe to terminate the war. The new clause, it will be remembered, has not yet been officially confirmed, and was probably
intended by the Japanese to be kept secret, at least until the ratifications, which are to be exchanged within three weeks from the date of signature of the Treaty. We suspect that Pekin will sign gladly, but Southern China is reported irate, a statement which may or may not be true. Southern China would be delighted to throttle the Manchus.
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