Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-11-14
1T IS NOT BELIEVED THEY ARE
ABOUT TO FIGHT.
LONDON KNOWS NOTHING OF IT
HOWEVER. DIPLOMATS WOULD BE
SURPRISED AT NOTHING.
If Japan Really Means to Strike at
Russian Control in China. She
Must Strike Soon, or 1t
Will Be Entirely
Too Late.

LONDON. Nov. lS.-Caretul Inquiries
made by the Associated Press reveal norh-
ing eXtant in diplomatic circles here TO
justify the a!armist view taken by sec
ton OF the press regarding the situation in
the far East That a serious denOuament
Is so close at hand as is indicated by ad-
vices from Shanghai during the last twen-
ty-four hours is regarded as Incredible For
long time it has been known here-and
it was asserted in Associated Press dis
patches two months ago-that China and
Japan We're closely allied, but neither Brit
ish nor American diplomatists in London
believe that this alliance is of an offensive
nature.
At any rate, it can be asserted positively
that, if Japan and China contemplate ag-
gressive action against Russia, Lord Sails
bury is not aware of their intention, and
it is scarcely probable that those powers
would decide upon any definite course with
out at least consulting Great Britain, who
III the nature of things. would be their ally,
whether active or passive.
However. while the foreign officials have
no information tending to confirm recent
sensational reports, they have come to re-
gard the Eastern problem as SO difficult
in respect of getting accurate information
that they would be surprised at nothing.
They have endeavored to take precaution
against everything.
In the words of the British official who
discussed the situation with a representa-
tive of the Associated Press, While re-
ports of rupture between Russia and
Japan are easy of creation, and while they
are liable to constant reiteration. SO long
as the diplomats of the pIess continue to
view the far East with such serious at
tention, 1t is certainly palpable that. if
Japan really means to strike a serious
blow at Russian control, she must do it
quickly. for very soon Russia will be far
stronger than she is now
Discussing the bearings of RuSsia'S new
naval estimates upon this question. the
official asserted that these certainly indicat-
ed the intention of the car to increase
the Russian fleet in Chinese waters, which,
If done on the scope outlined in the es-
Inmates, would leave Japan but little
chance.
has astonished me- said the official. lis
the suggestion of Chinese cooperation.
Thus far no nation has been able to arouse
the, the Chinese @ sufficiently to get them to
COMBINE in military enterprises. If Japan
has done this, or even believes she has,
tnen she has accomplished more than Great
Britain rita ,f or Russia in a century of effort
me action OF the United States govern
ment In requesting assurances from foreign
governments regarding the open door
policy IN China has created intense salts
faction in British official circles
Lord Salisbury" according to the Of
fcial quoted above, has gladly acauiesced
in this step on the part of the United
States, which is regarded as most potent
evidence that the United States recognizes
the fmpossibility of conducting its foreign
affairs without the cooperation of other
nations. and as the first practical earnest
of their desire to conduct Eastern negotia-
tions in concert with European govern
ments.''
A special dispatch from Shanghai says
the differences between Russia and Japan
have been accentuated by Japan's refusal
to grant Russia a fOothold on the sea front
of Massampo harbor Korea