The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-11-18
BEL LEVIED TO BE PREMATURE
Nothing Known I'm England to JUS.
tffy A1armist Reports of the
Far East Situation.

dfy Alarmist Reports of the
Far East Situation.
London, Nov. 14.lCareful inquiries
made for the press reveals nothing ex-
tant;in diplomatic circles here to jus.
tify the alarmisf view taken by a sec.
ton of the press regarding. the situa.
tipn III the far east. That serious
denouement is close at hand, as is in;
Dictated by advices from Shanghai dur:
ing the last "a hours, is regarded as in
credible. For a long time it has been
known here, and it was asserted in
press dispatches two months ago-that
China andsJapanStere closelyallled, hut
nSther Hitist nbr American diplo-
smAts in .IbRdon believe hat this ALI
ance is. Of an offensive nature. *
Lord Salisbury uniformed.
At any rate it can be asserted posi-
lively that if Japan and China conteni-
plate aggressive action against Russia,
:bcrd Salisbury: is not 'a,vtre of their
intention, and it is scarcely probable
that those powers would tfecide' upon
any definite course without at least
censulting. Great Britain. who, in the
nature of things, would be their ally,
whether. active o r passive. =. =.
Would be Surprised at Nothing.
: However,. while the foreign officials
have no information tending to con-
firm recent sensational reports, they
have come to regard the eastern prob
lem as so difficult in respect of getting
accurate information hat they would
be surprised at nothing. They nave en-
deavored to take precautions against
everything.
Should Strike Now If at All.
In the words of the British official
who discussed the situation with a rep
resentative of the press: "While re-
ports Of a rupture between Russia and
Japan are easy of creation, and while
they are liable to constant r~eiteration,
so long as the diplomats of the press
continue to view the far east with such
serious attention, it scertainly palpable
that if Japan really means to strike q
iouo " "l INuSSIdh SolilIOl. Sllt
must do it quickly, for very soon Rus
STA will be far stronger than she is
now"
Russia's New Naval Estimates.
Discussing the bearings of Russfa's
new naval estimates upon this ques-
ton, the official asserted that these
certainly indicated the intention of
the ear to increase the Russian fleet
in Chinese waters, which, if done on
the scope outlined in the estimates,
would leave Japan but little chance.
Another Phase of the Reports.
another phase of these reports
which has astonished me-" said the
Official" is the suggestion of Chinese
cooperation. Thus far no nation has
been able to arouse the Chinese suffi-
GENTLY to get them to combine in mill
tary enterprises.
IF Japan has done this, or believes
she has, then she has accomplished
more than Great Britain or Russia in
a century of effort"
The "Open Door, Policy.
The action of the United States gov
eminent in requiring assurances from
foreign governments regarding the
"open door, policy in China, has Gre
ated intense satisfaction in British Of
fetal circles.
Lord Salisbury Gladly Acquiesces.
Lord Salisbury" according TO the
official quoted above, has gladly ac-
quiesced in this step on the part of the
United States. which is regarded as
most potent evidence that the United
States are conducting their foreign af-
fairs without the cooperation of other
nations, and as the first pratical earn
est of their desire to conduct eastern
negotiations in concert with European
governments"