The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-08-09
CAN THIS BE TRUE?
We take the following from the Wash
ington Post:

We take the following from the Wash
ington Post;
Russia is planning coup d'etat. 1t
will take place. IL the plans do not fail.
In Corea. and be one Of the last events
Of the present war between China and
Japan. 1t Will consist in Russia occupy
ing one OF the desirable ports Of Corea
and establishing sovereignty over it. In
formation TO that effect has been received
by one OF the legations here. Ii is pro-
nOunccd Of a most authentic character,
and leaves no doubt in the minds Of the
recipients Of its absolute trustworthneSs.
The reason for Russia's intention Is nCr
desire for n southern port which shah
be open 10 her commerce throughout the
year. The only port Russia now has on
her eastern shore is closed during part
OF the year by the rigors Of winter.
The plan is not OF recent birth. Ac-
cording TO this information, Russia con
ceiVed the idea of Se1zing some port in
COrea over year ago. To make her at
tempt successful an opportunity ike the
present was necessary. Waiting Tor
chance TO present such an opportunity
would involve the loss OF too much time.
An opportunity must. therefore, he made.
If the Russian ambassador TO Japan,
who. by the way. IS considered the ablcst
diplomat in the service Of the Car,
would divulge his secret operations OF
the past year. the incubation which hatch
ed this war would be found to have been
assisted quite as much Gf not mOre) by
the warmth of the Russian bear as by
the heat of the dispute between China
and Japan.
This Information is believed to be in
the possession Of the State Department
here also, but the officials are dumb on
the subject. IL is pretty safe to say,
however. that the administration believes
that but for Russian intrigue the present
war would not have come 10 pass Ac-
cording to the Information received this
morning by the legation in question the
war may be expected to end In very
short time. Russla's contemplated act
may, therefore. be looked for at any
moment. II Is not believed that either
China or Japan will resent it. Japan
is understood TO be secretly backed by
Russia. and China would prefer Russia
10 seize a port In Corea 10 having the
Car advance further into Chinese terri
tory from the north.
Great Britain may chafe. but she has
too much 10 attend 10 at present 70
protest, much less TO attempt 10 check
Russia carrying ont her coup. And the
situation in Europe is altogether too
ticklish TO look for protest from any OF
the other powers. There have been some
reports that this country intends TO take
a hand should any of the other foreign
powers do so In this war. 1t cannot be
stated too emphatcaiiy that there is no
more likelihood OF this country interfer-
ing than there Is of its joining the triple
alliance 10 keep open the treaty ports. as
was reported some days ago The policy
Of the administration in this matter win
be 10 let Asia and Europe settle the dis
&C themselves.
Several things are to be observed about
this. The first is, that the Washington
Post is right amongst the diplomatists
that the whole world sends to this coun-
try. and may. therefore. be fairly pre-
sumed to ba au coiirsnf with what "a