In the Yellow Sea Part 30

We heard that the j.a.panese fleet sailed to the Pescadores, and annexed them, and the campaign was continued after a while in Manchuria. A treaty of peace was agreed upon by which j.a.pan was to receive an immense indemnity to retain Formosa, the Pescadores, and the possession of Port Arthur and Wei-hai-Wei. But Western ideas could not admit this in all its bearings. Russia induced France and Germany to force j.a.pan to relinquish the Liao-tung Peninsula or face war. j.a.pan retired from Port Arthur, and, as will be seen,--indeed it is already evident,--that the kind "protectors of the Chinese Empire," the wolves from the north of Europe, are now about to enjoy the dismembered carca.s.s of the most ancient kingdom, when they have bled it to death.

Captain Goldheugh brought me back safely to Shanghai, and there I at intervals succeeded in putting my experiences on paper. Even while I have been revising these pages news has come concerning various advances made by Russian diplomacy, which, having ousted the j.a.panese from Port Arthur, has apparently decided to occupy the place itself for the Czar, "to show there is no ill-feeling." What may be the issue of this intention one need not opine. What the Chinese think of any such advance, was expressed, when I was there, in fear, if not trembling.

j.a.pan, I think, will have a few words to say unless she be "squared."

But these political ideas may be suppressed. My narrative must close here.

Perhaps this experience may interest some youthful readers in England, where the serious aspect of matters in the East is always discussed.

Before this tale is in type the whole aspect of these events may have changed, but the facts remain as I have attempted to picture them in the foregoing pages. The story is told--my tale is ended; but the final word is yet to be written concerning the struggle of 1895. The end is not yet.

_Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London and Bungay._