Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-09-06
TO FIGHT RUSSIA
Chester Holeomb, An Attache
Of the American Legation
at Picking
Says There Is Sure To Be A
Conflict Between Mikado
and Gar.
Japan Strengthening Her Navy
and Russia Waiting For
A Good Excuse.

A Good Excuse.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2.-Cheste1
Holcomb, who has just returned from
China, after twenty-one years service
in the American legation at Picking,
says the recent massacre is traceable to
the result of the recent China-Japanese
war.
SAT the commencement of the recent
war between China and Japan said
he, sit was generally feared that the
lives Of foreigners in China would be in
great danger as long as the war lasted.
AS a matter of fact, there was practically
no danger as long as the wal lasted, and
it is only since the hostilities ceased the
danger has commenced.
Reasons For the Massacres.
"In the first place, the great mass of
Chinese are disappointed with the result
OF the war, and are taking revenge on
all the foreigners whom they "a kill
with impunity.
I'm the second place, the killing and
pillaging receives great encouragement
by reason of the depredations committed
by hordes of disbanded soldiers, all over
the country. The Chinese government
has a peculiar method Of disposing Of its
troops at the close of a war. When the
soldiers are no longer needed, they are
discharged from service at the place
where they happened to be at
the time. The fact that an
army may be several hundred
Oh a thousand miles away from home
when it is d%isbanded, and the fact that
the soldiers may not possess any means
of getting home does not interest the
government in the least. The troops
are turned loose, and, to use all Ameri-
can expression, they have to beat their
way back to the place from whence they
came. That they should pillage and
commit depredations is therefore nat
ural to such people under such condi-
lions, and tranquility will not reign i'll
China for some time to'come.
Russia and Japan Will Fight.
MI. Holcomb says the most interesting
question at present, outside of the
missionary massacres and the cholera, is
the approaching conflict between Rus
STA and Japan.
s"That Japan and Russia will become
mixed up in a dispute which will result
in war goes without saying" said he,
s.and the commencement Of actual hos
tilities is not far off. The Japanese
have a big grievance against Russia anu
Russia is preparing to make things
warm for the Japanese. I was told very
frankly by Japanese officials who hold
high positions in the government that
Japan would live to rue the day when
she permitted herself to become mixed
up in a quarrel with China. It has
: given Russia all opportunity she has
long waited for.
Narrowly Escaped Before.
mo one knows better than I how
narrowly Japan escaped a war with
Russia when she got through with hel
war with China. The Japanese were
so incensed at Russia's attitude in the
matter Of the cession Of Liao Tung pen
insula that the Japanese officials talked
seriously Of engaging in a squabble witt
Russia. I was in Japan at the time ano
heardit all. A certain member OF the
Japanese cabinet whose acquaintance
1 made when he was sent tc
Picking as the Japanese minister
to China, SAID to NE at TIT
Needed a Few More Ships.
Russia has six ironclad battleships
We have but one, and that we captured
from the Chinese. II we had but foul
ironclads or only three, we would defy
Russia"
"That is just what Russia wanted
them to do. Russia will yet SC aggra
waite the Japanese that they will declare
war. Then Russia will attempt to driv'
the Japanese out Of Corea where the,
are now masters Of the situation. Thu
Japanese are debating affairs in Corea
for while the king still remains on tn
throne he does nothing that counts il
authority. The fight between Russi'
and Japan will be over Corea and it vii
come just as soon as Russia finds tina
she wants an open port on the Pacific"