The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
Masses Ready to Resist
the Gar Restrained
by Rulers.
Estimates Of the Numerical
Strength Of the Russians
at VIadiVOStOk.
AMERICAN MISSIONARIES.
They Go Far Inland and Are Accused
Of Creating Strife and
DiSSensiOn.

When the steamship China arrived
at HOngkong on her last voyage to
the Orient one of Japans two monster
battle-ships of $4,000 tons displacement
was in the harbor. The two big
'Japs," which were recently completed,
are about the heaviest ships of war
ever constructed. In the Russian
squadron, now in Asiatic waters, there
are several warships almost if not
quite as large as the big men-of-war
flying the Japanese flag.
Travellers from the Orient say that it
is difficult indeed for foreigners to OBJ
tain anything like an accurate estimate
of the Russian army now concentrated
at Vladivostok. Russia conducts all
of her movements with the greatest
secrecy possible. The numerical
strength of the army at Vladivostok
may not be $4,000 and it may exceed
100000 men.
Frank Loring, formerly resident Of
San Francisco, arrived from the Orient
a few days ago. He has been engaged
for several years in mercantile enter
prlseS in Japan and is familiar with
the sentiments and temper of the Jap
aneSe. He remarks that the masses
are ready to resist Russian occupation
Of Korea, but that the rulers desire to
wait until the new navy is completed.
1t is no longer a secret that Japan has
resolved to fight rather than recognize
the right of Russia to exercise SoVer-
eighty in Korea. The bone of conten-
ton was Korea in the war with China,
and Japan will not yield to Russia
what she refused to surrender to
China. 1t is said that Japan could Sc
cure perfect peace and tranquility if
WOnl6 % IN will
inSneSS to relinquiSh all claims to
voice in the administration of Korean
affairs. The MikadO and his advisers
understand the power and strength of
Russia, but the common people are
not so we'll informed, hence it is diff
ficult to repress the popular demand
for resistance to Russian rule in the
Hermit Kingdom.
1t is we'll understood now by all
classes of people in Japan-the lowest
as we'll as the higheSt-that a policy Of
| non-submission to Russia has been
adopted. 1t may be deemed advisable,
pending the preparations for war, to do
| nothing to precipitate the conflict, but
| all agree that Russia cannot hold
| Korea without struggle. Nothing
would please the Japanese Government
| so much as assurances of support from
| the United States and England. The
support of England is expected and
that of the United States hoped for
| 1t is significant fact that there is
more activity among missionaries in
| the Orient at the present time than
| ever before The American mission
aries, particularly resolute and enter
| priSing, are Swarming into Korea. The
| information comes from the passenger
department of the Southern Pacific
| railroad in this city that missionary
| travel to the Orient has been eXCer-
| tionally active during the past year.
! Tourists from the ORIENT who care
more for seeing the sights than for
! spreading the gospel fancy that the
missionaries who penetrate far inland
! in Asia stir up more strife than is
necessary in their work They de-
| mand and exact more attention than
! is usually accorded to others and in
various ways render themselves un-
| popular with the ministers and con-
suls residing in Asia. From all ac-
have been stirring up the Koreans
| against the Russians The Russian
! Minister at Seoul became so enraged
against their interference in public af-
fairs that he wanted to order the
whole tribe out of the country.
The stupendous naval operations in
the East are bound to be of great
commercial advantage to San Fran
cisco. The firm of Dodge, Sweeney &
Co., that recently received the large
estimate of supplies required at Vladi-
vostok, yesterday received by cable
from Hongkong a very large order for
provisions.