The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-11-09
WAR SEEMS IMMINENT.
RUssIA's ACTION LEADS RIGHT UP
TO A CRISIS.
Her Grip ON China-On the Scene with a
Fleet of Fifteen ships - The
British Press.

LONDON, Oct. asa dispatch
from Shanghai yesterday afternoon,
announcing the departure of fleet
of fifteen Russian war ships from
Vladivostock for Chemulpo aud
Fusan, Corea, and the Times dis
patch from Hongkong announcing
that Russia had obtained the right
to anchor her fleet at Port Arthur
and construct railroads on the Lao
tung peninsula, are looked upon
generally as sudden reopening III
an unexpected quarter Of the far
Eastern question in its wide t
sense.
1t is admitted here that the stu
alton is so grave that, should the
news prove true, it would make a
war, in which several nations will
take part, more than probable. 1t
should be added that there is every
reason to believe that the story
from Hongkong is authentic. The
afternoon papers of this city all
publish long articles agreeing that
British intervention i'll the far East
is necessary.
The ST. James Gazette says:
Gwen war with Russia would be
less disastrous than to allow her
without a blow to get such grip
upon China. She could throttle
all the other powers and choke off
their commerce. Unless Russia
and China gave the necessary as
surances, it is a case for an ultima
tum and perhaps the most serious
step our diplomacy has had since
the Crimean war"
THE impression is general i'll
the official world, and it is re-
echoed by the press, that neither
America nor Germany can allow
the Pacific Coast to become a
Franco Russian lake, as the
GIobe puts it, land it is generally
thought that the diplomats will be
sufficiently strong to combine to re-
sist Russian aggression"
The Pail Mall Gazette sums up
the startling news from the far
East with the statement that
Russia has annexed China" and
in the course Of a long article OIL
the subject adds: "If this treaty
is to stand, roll up the map of
Asia"
In conclusion, the Pail Mall
Gazette urges the reoccupation OF
Port Hamilton by the British and
the immediate Strengthening of the
British fleet i'll Chinese waters lest
Japan lose her fleet at the first
blow"
Since this important news was
circulated, the greatest activity has
been displayed in the Government
offices here, particularly at the
Foreign Office and at the Admiral
ty, and the coming and going of
messengers was continuous
throughout the morning and bust
ness hours of the afternoon.
AT the different clubs, the war
scare" in the East is eagerly dis
cussed, the grave situation of affairs
in Venezuela having most COM
pletely dropped out of recollection
in the alarm Of the moment. No
body seems to doubt the report that
by the recently agreed upon Russo
China treaty Russia has obtained
rights to which the most favored
nation clause is not applicable
which may cause great war.
The correspondent of the Times
at Hongkong, who sent the sensa-
tional news, is described by his
newspaper as being in close rela-
tons with men who ale able to
penetrate beneath the surface Of
things" and it is therefore conclu-
ded that the news he has just sent
cannot be disregarded.
The Foreign Office declares today
that it has no confirmation Of the
report.