The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-28

Japan Would Like AN Alliance WIN th'
United States.


United states.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April 9.-Minis-
ter Kurino. Of Japan, says that, in his
opinion. he commercial interests OF the
United States IN the East particularly in
tapan. are 50 much more extensive and
important tnan those Ot Germany or
France. that IL would bo cmincnuy de-
sirablc in the event Of a Franco-German
alliance with Russia 10 prevent tine con-
summation Of the peace treaty, Tor the
United states 90 take an active part III
oflsetting such an alliance. Mr. hufi-
no wished it TO be clearly understood,
however that this was his personal
convection. He had not. he said. re-
ceived any instructions from his Govern
ment. and there had been no suggestion
OF an official or unofficial character from
him TO the state Department that the
United States should De enlisted in its
support. Ills views were the result OF
his personal information OF the extent OF
Cnited States interests tn the East.
"The commercial interests OF the United
States fn 3apan ere yer. M greater
than those of Germany or France. Prac-
ticauy. their Interests are little or moth
ing, while those OF the United States are
very extensive. The British trade comes
first, and after it comes the trade or
the United States. il would be eminent
Is proper, therefore, 81 the United states,
iu consideration OF her superior CONNER
cfaf interests, should Offset 4 dem0nstTa-
tion on the part Of France and Ger
many, ~ any such move ls actually made.
L am not officially informed that u mas
been made nor am 1 apprehensiVe OF the
move, should 10 Doe made. But, in the
event of It's being realized, then there
is little doubt. in my opinion, that the
commercial interests of the United
states would make IT expedieut 90 take
part in the issue. This, of course. would
not mean that the United States was
90 engage in a fight. It's cooperation
would undoubtedly Doe effective, without
any radical step"
Nr. Kuriuo was asked what the result
would bo ii Ch.na's procrastinauon or
foreign Interference prevented rdtiilca-
tion of the peace agreement.
Then" Doe replied, "the war VIII Doe
renewed on May ,tu, with far more Vig0r
and determination than before. Tho
present cessation of hosijllfies Us due en-
tirely 10 the armisticc. granted with the
understanding that ID peace was desired.
and would he effected. If. however, mat
result is not secured. there Will be
most aggressive advance ON China"
The interview shows that Japan Is tuily
alive 10 the menace contained fn the sug-
eost.ons of "A triple European alliance TO
prevent the contamination Of The Chino
Japanese treaty. and 10 the advantage OF
meeting This alliance with counier-alii-
auce. Brassey's "Naval Annual tor
i0r gives the following comparison OF
the naval strength of Great Britain,
France and Russia;
Ratueships f.rst class England BUTT
70. building O.. France built 10. building
+. Russia huift .. building =.
Second class England built ll. France
built g. building p, Russia Duilt 4. build
ing 3.
Third class England built %; France
built g.
Total batuesh.ps England built a.,
building 3. France built %, building 9.
Russia built 9, building s.
Coast defence ships England built y.
France bullt u, building D Russia built
i3. building ,.
Cruisers. Armored-England built IS.
France buut O. building g.. Russia built
9, building :.
Protected First class-England built IL,
building .; France built . building ?.
Protected second and third class-Eng-
land built 46. building s. France buitt o,
building T.. Russia built >.
Totai-Engiand built -. building 20;
France built II. building IS. Russia built
II. building ..
Lookout ships-England built 10, France
built y
Torpedo gunh0ats-England built 52i
France built II. builulng 2; Russia built :.
slow cruisers lold type) e)-Englsnd built
=: France built %.
Germany is not given I'm the compari-
son. Her vessels even when called sec
ond and third class. DO not equal me
vessels placed I'm these classes by the
other three great powers. The naval
strength Of Germany is given as follows.
Baiileships first class. 4; second class.
7: third class. 3. armored gunboats IL; |
coast defence ships. o; gunboats. 8. Cruis-
ars-hrst class I. second class, ., third |
class. %: torpedo boats. 10.