The Red Cloud chief., 1898-01-07
JAPAN'S WAR SPIRIT.
THE PRESS AND PEOPLE
BELLICERENT.
Tho Course Of Germany Arraigncd-One
Paper Declares That II Is Japan's Duty
To Succor china Russian Omcers III
rccting Affairs at the Palace In Pekin.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.-According 10
ndvices Just received from Japan, the
prime minister who retired Monday
in the course Of n reply to a delega-
ton, said: with affairs tending to
dangerous Developments as Is now the
case in the East, we shall not hesitate
10 ask the Diet for 80, Ooo,O O0 or even
40, 900, 900 II necessary"
The Jill Shimpo. the most influen-
tial paper In japan, contains a scath-
ing arraignmcnt Of Germany's course,
declaring that the occupation of Kiao
Chou shows that the laws and tenets
OF international morality have ceased
to be anything more than q specious
p%retence by European powers, and that
tho rule by which their conduct is
really regulated Is 'thc flesh Of the
weak is tho food Of the strong"
After declaring that Germany has
thrown off the mask, and has taken the
lead Of Western powers in n greedy
struggle to devour China, 1t adds
rs to the attitude of japan: "Thc
conflagration Is on the other side Of
the river, bat the river Is q narrow
n and the sparks may easily fly
across. The lesson for Japan Is that
u country's security depends solely
upon its strength to resist aggression,
and that aggression has come almost
to her own gates 1t will not suffice
that she should be merely on the de-.
~fensive. To preserve what one has
already, it is sometimes necessary to
add more. A crisis In the Orient now
confronts japan, and her undivided
strength must be devoted to guarding
against the perils that mace her."
The Nichi Nichi Shimbun takes q
similar view, declaring that IL is part
Of the plan Of epcroachment of Euro
pcan nations upon tho East 1t adds:
Japan has the greatest interest at
stake in these things. and the Japan
csc foreign Office should lose no time
In obtaining from Germany O clear
expose Of her purposes"
The Kokumin Shimbun says that
Gcrmany's action Is q sequel to the in
reference of the three powers rus
STA, Germany and France) with ia
pans holding Port Arthur, after hav-
ing taken that fortress, and that as
these powers are again In collision,
Japan must diligently prepare herself
for an emergency.
The Chuo Shimbun declares that the
time for the partition Of the Chinese
empire has arrived. and adds: "What
shall Japan do? Shall she join in the
scramble for pieces OF the doomed
state, or shall she oppose its partition?
In such q crisis-the like Of which has
not occurred since the restoration
the portfolio OF foreign affairs Is in
the hands Of u nan in whom the ma
ton has no confidence"
Tho Toxic Shimpo, takes the radi.
cal position that it Is Japan's duty to
succor China at this j%uncture, on the
ground that the boosted civilization
and Christianity of the Western world
Is slowly trampling down right and
Justice in its descent upon the Orient.
Aside from the excited discussion Of
the Chinese problem, the japanese
press Is mainly concerned in the coun.
try's naval and military development.
Tho expenditure on armament ex-
pansion" this year will be 80. 645.7ai
yen, and next year 80, $50, 900 yen.
Brilliant field maneuvers have been
executed by the two army corps of the
north and south in the presence OF
many foreign diplomats and military
experts
RUSSIA'S HAND
TACOMA, Wash, Jan. a-According
to advices received yesterday per
steamer Victoria, China's military de-
partment Is to have Russian advice to
be followed, by the employment OF
Russian officers to drill the Chinese
army The China Mail says Russia is
already in possession Of M~anchuria,
and is grasping for a large share OF
the entire empire. These state ments,
which facts seemingly bear out, are
causing great uncasiness in Japan.
and particularly because Russia 1.
known to be acting with the concur
renee Of France and Germany. both
OF whom, OF course will get smaller
pieces when the big pie is cut Peliu
dispatches to Yokohoma and Kobe
papers state that Russia has taken
very bold stand at Pekin and is now
practically managing China's foreign
affairs.
Russia will loan China the needed
money and will probably eventually
ecure control OF China's customs
China has granted the Russian rail
way franchises whereby the Mansur
ian railway will be extended to Pekin
including supervision OF both sides O
the railway.
Russia has moved n large number O
troops into Manchuria from Vladivo
stock, and the Siberian frontier
whereby she recently had Ion. 900 sol
diers massed, and is now occupyin,
China's northern province. Thes
. troops IN Manchuria are ready 4
move into Corea or China proper
Russia's influence at Pekin Is du
: partly to promises mado Chimes
: officials OF land interests In gol,