The herald., 1898-03-08
PREPARATION FOR WAR
NOT CONFINED TO AMERICA AND
SPAIN
RUSSIA NEEDS BATTLESHIPS
For Use in the Conflict Thought to Be
Impending With the
japanese
Associated Press Special Wire

| Associated Press Special wire
PHILADELPHIA, March THE North
American today publishes the follow
| ing:
while the attention of the public dur
ing the recent war scare has been for the
present diverted from the Cramp ship
yard at League island, it Is safe to assert
that the Kensington firm OF sh!pbuilders
| is at this moment on the eve of securing
foreign contract of sensational proper
| tions.
| although the members of the firm main-
tain the utmost secrecy on the subject. yet
| it is fact that during the week just
passed several draughtsmon have been
working on plans and estimates almost
| continuously.
"The plans and estimates, it is said, are
being drawn up for the consideration of
foreign power and include a first-class
ship yard, such as operated by Cramps, be-
sides several battleships and cruisers.
Although the name OF the foreign power
rs being kept a. secret. 1t is generally un-
derstood by those in position to know,
that the plans and estimates will eventual
ly find their way to Russia. This Is the
more readily apparent in view of the fact
that all signs on the European horizon
point conclusively to a war between Japan
and Russia in the near future.
Japan realizes that Russia is making
dangerous encroachmems in China. where
she herself should enjoy the fruits of vic
tory. Russia on the other hand Will
not recede. hence a war with Japan seems
inevitable"
MAKES a LEASE
BERLIN, March THE Tageblatt today
publishes dispatch from Pekin saying
China has agreed to lease Port Arthur
and Talien Wan to Russia for ninety-nhne
years.
CHINA is UNEASY
| PEKING, March Much uneasness is
| felt here in Chinese circles IN consequence
of the Russian demands. The Russian
minister of finance, moreover, is reported
f, to have urged these demands peremptoriy
and to have complained that the Chinese
loan was settled in spite of the disap
proval of Russia.
| All kinds of spectators are flockng here
for the purpose of securing concessions for
electric lighting, street railroads and reg
ular railroads, etc. The Chinese merchants
are showing great earnestness to partici-
pate in the enterprise.
ENGLISH INTEREST
LONDON, March 7.-Replying in the
house of commons today to Sir Ellis Ash
mead Bartlett. Conservative, Mr.. Curzon.
the parliamentary secretary for the for
eign office, said the government could not
confirm the message TO the London Times
from Pelting published today saying that
Russia had demanded that China sur
render to her all sovereignty rights over
Port Arthur and Ia Lien Wan for the same
period and on the same conditions as in the
case of Germany at Kiao Chau bay, be-
sides demanding important railroad con-
cessions. giving five days within which
to receive a reply. and threatening to
move troops into Manchuria IN the event
of NONCOMPLIANCE with her demands "
Iverson also said the government had no
confirmation of the report that Russ ia
had occupied Deer island, Korea. nor could
the government confirm the reports set
ting forth that Russia was Strengthening
the forts at Port Arthur
Chamberlain. secretary OF state for the
| colonies, explaining in the house of COM
mons today the delay in the presentation
of the governments West Indian pro-
posals. said that unless the reciprocity
negotiations between the United States
and Canada were concluded the govern
ment could not tell what the position of
the West Indies would be.
The house of lords was unusually crowd
ed today; the peeresses gallery was full
and there were many members of the
house of commons present when Lord
Roberts, commander of the forces in Ire
land, made his expected speech in favor of
| a forward policy on the Indian frontier
putting forward the Russian peril and de-
claring that the policy of nom in reference
with the frontier tribes had been COM
plete failure. The speaker advocated the
advance of British rule across the mount
| aims. and traced the advance of Russia,
saying that if she once crossed the Hindoo-
Koosh an attack upon India was only a
matter Of time.
A BALD DENIAL
PHILADELPHIA, March 7-Charles r.
~ mn Of tn 81.
Engine Building company today denied
absolutely the story that his company was
| preparing plans for a number of war ves-
sells and of modern ship-buildng plant
for European nation. presumably Rus
| sia.
A MEAN REBUFF
| LONDON, March S.-All the morning
papers comment OH the menacng aspcct
| of affairs in the far east.
The Daily Chronicle. in strong editori-
| al, says: LAS a rebuff to Lord Salisbury
| nothing could be meaner and more painful
Russia has simply begun the partition of
China. If anybody asks what China will
do, the answer Is simple--there is no such
thing as China. The real questions are,
what will England do, and what will japan
do? If ever the country needed n strong
| man, it is now and the country will learn
with dissatisfaction that again, at a mo-
| ment of acute crisis. the premier's health
compels him to go abroad. Thus both the
| queen and the prime minister are to be
| absent when their presence is particularly
| needed"
| The ministerial Standards editorial
milder but to the same effect as the Chron-
| icle's. says
Years pass in the execution of these de-
| signs, but from the moment the covenant
| is signed, the partition of China is be-
gun. The disguise is too thin to be meant
| to deceive.
| "It Is no wonder that the eyes of the ma
| ton are fixed in eager expectation upon
| Japan. The question remains whether
England will resist Russia or proceed to
restore the equilibrium by Independent
measures of her own
THE RUSSIAN FLEET
| ODESSA, March 1.-THE Russian gov