The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-08-02
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.
Russia May Press Japan to Point
Of War.
BELIEF THAT FERDINAND OF
BULGARIA WILL BE DEPOSED.

A Report That General Manager Seargeant
of the Grand Trunk VIII Retire-Slight
Engagement in Cuba-Organized
Brigands Terrorize Russian Villages.
Washington, August 1.-The announce
ment contained in dispatch from st.
Petersburg today that Russia, Germany
and France were determined to force
Japan to eyacuate the Lau-Tong penin-
sula without waiting for the execution OF
the terms of the treaty OF S1monosekl,
was received with some surprise in diplo-
matte circles here, and among particular
friends of Japan with incredulity.
The matter at issue, it will be remem-
bered, had it's origin in the protest made
by Russia in which France and Germany
joined, against that article OF the
Simonoseki treaty by which China ceded
to Japan absolutely the Peninsula OF
Lau-Tong, on which Port Arthur, with
it's massive and extensive Notifications,
was located These three Powers said
that they did not want Japan to gain
foothold on the mainland, and she must
therefore consent to modification of the
treaty in respect Of that article. Japan
responded to the protest that her honor
and dignity demanded that the treaty
should be ratified as negotiated by Jne
signatory Powers, but that she was per-
fectly willing subsequent the reto to re-
linquish the peninsula to China upon re-
ceiying adequa to compensation therefor.
This, it appears, satisfied the three
Powers at that time, for they Joined in
an identical note to the Japan Foreign
Office, signed by the Russian, French
and German ministers in Toxic, express
ing their sence of appreciation of the
Japan Now, according to the ST.
Petersburg dispatch, they want Japan to
move out of the peninsula without wait
ing for the adequate compensation for it's
relinouishment.
A gentleman, who is perfectly familiar
with the Oriental situation, said this
morning:
81 cannot understand the dispatch,
and am sure it must be based upon mis-
information or half information. 1t is so
inconsistent with all of Russia's previous
manner of dealing with the Oriental
nations, her diplomacy with them having
always partaken of the sauviter in modo
doubt the accuracy of the dispatch. 1t is
fatally poor diplomacy, for if Russia
crowds Japan in the manner indicated,
the latter can do nothing less than fight
She cannot honorably yield to such de-
mand, and must prefer to go down fight
ing rather than be disgraced. Such a
policy on Russia's part means the invest
ment of Japan by an overwhelming naval
force and the presence of an army of at
least 200, 900 men. Is it probable that
she can be contemplating such an ex
pensive course. I do not believe that
France and Germany have united with
Russia in the demand as indicated.
Rather, one of them, at least, would act
as mediator instead of persec utor.
''If Russia is really so anxious to see
Japan evacuate Liau-Tong, let her put
up the amount of money necessary to
satisfy Japan's perfectly just demand,
and the latter's forces will be withdrawn
at once. She has right to expect re-
muneration for relinquishing the penin-
sula, and it is understood that negotia-
tions are in progress between China and
Japan on this subject. Suppose that
China should conclude that without the
costly works at Port Arthur, which have
been partly, if not wholly demolished
by the Japanese forces, she does not care
to possess the peninsula, and express a
willingness to let Japan retain it. Would
Russia then insist upon Japan getting
out whether or no"