Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-01-04
THE SPIRIT OF WAR.
It Has Apparently Been ARGUS
ed in Japan.
WHOLE NATION WILDLY EXCITED.
The Leading Journals Fiercely De-
nounce Germany's Action in China
"A Firm Foreign Policy IL
Ny Called For.

+ Washington, Jan. IA high state OF
public feeling in Japan over the COM
plications of the far east, centering in
China, is shown by the last press adj
vices received here from Japan. That
the government itself has an eye to the
gravity of the question is shown by
Statement of the prime minister made
In the course of reply to delegation.
He said:
with affairs tending to danger our de-
velopments as is now the case in the east,
1--WE shall not hesitate to ask the diet for
l30,000,000 yen or even 4o,0OOo Oo yen II neces-
sary."
!; This was only short time before the
premier was forced to resign, because
Of the public feeling that the cabinet
was too weak to deal with the descent
Of the European powers upon China and
The probable ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the lat
Ter country.
I The Jill Shimpo, the most influential
paper in Japan, contains scathing ar
ralgnment of Germany's course, de-
claring the occupation of Kiao-Chau
shows that the laws and tenets OF in
ternational morality have ceased to be
anything more than specious pretense
by European powers, and that the rule
10y which their conduct is really regu-
dated is ''the flesh of the weak is the
food of the strong" After declaring
that Germany has thrown off the mask
and has taken the lead of western pow
ers In greedy struggle to devour
China, the paper adds as to the attitude
OF Japan:
Fiery Newspaper Talk.
1.-THE conflagration is on the other side
of the river, but the river Is narrow one
and the sparks may easily fly across. The
lesson for Japan is that country's secur-
ity depends solely upon its strength to re-
Isist aggression, and that aggression has
come almost to her own gates. 1t Will not
suffice that she should be merely on the
defensive. To preserve what one has al
ready, 1t is sometimes necessary to add
more A crisis in the orient now confronts
Japan, and her undivided strength must
tbe devoted to guarding against the perils
that menace her"
The Nichi Nichi Shimbun takes sim
liar view, declaring it is part of the plan
of encroachment of European nations
upon the east.
The Korumin Shimbun says that Ger
many's action is sequel to the three
powers PRUSSIA, Germany and France)
Interference with the japanese holding
Port Arthur, after having taken that
fortress, and that as these powers are
again in collision Japan mustdiligently
prepare herself for emergency.
Calls for Firm Foreign Policy.
The Nippon says the crisis calls for a
resolute foreign policy by Japan, and
AYERS that nothing tends to impair am
Ity more than tame submission to in
suit and wrongs. The course of Ger
many is arraigned as fragrant viola
tion of international law.
The Toxic Shimpou takes the radical
position that it is Japan's duty to sue
cor China at this juncture, on the ground
that the boosted civilization and Chris
tianity of the western world is slowly
frampling down right and justice in its
descent upon the orient.
Reaches Kiao-Chau bay.
Berlin, Jan. 1.-The German first
class cruiser Kaiserin Augusta, arrived
mt Kao Chou bay.
China Wakes Up.
LONDON, Jan. L-AccofulnB 10
special dispatch from Shanghai a sud-
den stiffening has taken place in the at
Htude of the Tsung-Ly-Yamen toward
Germany, resulting in demand for the
evacuation of Kiao-Chau and leading to
fhe belief that Great Britain is bringing
pressure to bear upon Picking.
The ST. Petersburg Herald announces
that some Russian vessels have left
Port Arthur and gone into harbor at
Halien-Wan with China's consent, the
harbor at Port Arthur being too small
for the free movement of the Russial
vessels.
A dispatch to the Times from Honll.
kong, says there is the greatest activi
fy In the naval yards there, while pro.
found secrecy is maintained.