The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-16
WORK IN THE DARK,
Russia Lends It's Moral
Support to the
Mikado.
DESIRES OF THE GAR.
The Future of the Orient May
Yet Be Decided in St.
Petersburg.
A F0oTHoLD FOR THE BEAR.
Russia's Chances for Pacific Naval
Station Are Steadily
Frightening.
DESIRES OF THE GAR.
A F0oTHoLD FOR THE BEAR.

WASHINGTON. D. c., April 15.-Many
stories are afoat of expected inter-
ference by Russia or the European
nations whose interests will be at
ected by the settlement of the China
Japan war, as to the conditions in
sisted upon by Japan. These stories ema-
nate from Chinese sources. The reports
are spread by the Chinese to provoke the
interference which is predicted, but the re-
ports of the Japanese Government IN
Washington do not look for any interior
ence in their affairs with China from out
side sources.
The report that Russia is entirely in
sympathy with Japan, and that an ALI
ance between these two nations would be
instantly proclaimed on the announce
ment of a hostile intent on the part of
either Great Britain, Germany or France
is we'll understood. The aggressiyeness of
Japan, which seemed reckless in the be-
ginning of her operations, is accounted for
satisfactorily on this hypothesis. Sup
ported by Russia, Japan's forces have not
hesitated or paused in their career of con-
quest, but have dashed fearlessly forward
with apparent Indifference to conse-
quences, conscious all the time that with
the aid of their powerful ally they could
scorn any attempted interposition of med
dlesome European powers.
The discreet manner in which Russia
has kept in the background has not de-
ceived any one aware of the Interior in
terest which the Car has in the extension
of japanese power.
The purpose of the Mikado's Govern
ment had already been accomplished in
the possession of Port Arthur and Wei
hai-wei, involving the control of the Gulf
of Pechili in the independence of Korea,
and the possession of the island of For
mosa. Those were the objective points
upon which the Japanse set their hearts at
the beginning of their campaign and the
carrying of them marks the full measure
of success, even were the expenses OF the
war not met by the generous indemnity re-
quired of the Chinese.
A mere matter of million yen is of no
consequence whatever when question of
the possession of territory and the domin-
ion of the seas is at stake. Diplomats in
Washington understand that Japan in the
present negotiation is looking far beyond
the present moment. She is laying the
foundations for a career of sovereignty and
expansion in the East only comparable
with the supremacy of Great Britain in the
West. With shrewdness that would do
credit to the most astute statesman of the
older nations of Europe, she has turned
to the only ally with whose interests her
own need not clash, and with the advance
ment of whose ambition she may go hand
in hand.
The history of the first half of the new
century will have to do with no questions
of such far-reaching Importance as those
which concern the progress of Japan and
Russia toward joint sovereignty over the
Asiatic shores of the Pacific. One of the
conditions of the understanding which is
believed to exist between Japan and Russia
is that the latter country shall gain egress
to the Pacific through ports south of it's
present possessions. Every harbor which
is now one of its possessions on the Siberian
coast is ice-locked during several months
in the year, and for a long time the Gov
eminent of the Car has been directing its
abilities on the Korean or Chinese coast by
steps so imperceptible as not to excite the
suspicion and resistance of any of the other
European powers. The success of Japan
now offers to Russia the fruition of her
bOpas