The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-10

japan and China On the japanese steam
snip Iezanai Maru. which arrived on
Saturday A passenger, VINO has made
quite a tour OF The Orient. told OF Rus
star operataurs at Port Arthur. and said
there is much apprehension among the
foreigners in Japan concerning the effect
Of tfs treaty xish the United States. which
will take effect July /
This gentleman Is n. @. StsmMsl, Of
SpolSans, who spent several weeks WITH
NORTH Thompson. OF Seattle, ard w II
Plants. CT Spokane. on business IN The
Orient All OF them are Interested In tas
Centennial Mill Company. Of Seattle. and
they spent much time IN China and Japan
locking Up business for the mill company
TN view OF the czars peace congress,
said Mr.. Stunned a. The Hotel Northern
yesterday afternoon. "the preparations at
PERI Arthur seem rather iaeongFaous- IL
looks like war. or preparation for II, In
good earnest. They are building forts
and placing ernbankrnents tia. are very
formidable.
Il saw seventeen Russian nen-of-war
in tne Por: Arthur harbor, and there were
said TO De a5.s soldiers. though 1t seemed
TO me that there must have been 5000
They swarued all over the town and were
to be seen on every hand
work on Forttfeations.
Might and day work was proceeding
harbor from the ocean there runs a lire
OF high hills around the north side. These
run down tn the waters edge. and as they
reach the town they recede from the wa
ter front On top Of these hills. some 40
or 90 feet high, great forts are being built.
Some Of these were constructed by the
Chinese before they abandoned the town
prior to the war with Japan. Such of
them as can be used ara being repaired.
don't know how long this line Of forts
IS, but il runs practically from the ocean
around 10 the back OF the town Those
near the ocean are 50 fixed that they not
only have view OF the harbor, but the
guns xiIi range around. commanding the
ocean for long distance about the en-
trance.
Port Arthur viii be absolutely I'M
pregnabie when the work is finished and
the guns are in place. There are TO be
put UP about the best points over 300 OF
the most modern guns, 50 that any battle
ships attempting TO force an entrance
would be blown ont OK the water.
In addition 20 this. one end Of the
harbor. which Is very shallow and which
canno. now be used. Is TO be dre!gea out
$40 that deep ships may anchor ia H. Then
canal will be cut through from this end
10 the ocean. SO that there Will be an
other entrance TO the harbor-
ION the docks are forty Baldwin loco
which are 20 be used I'm the construction
Of branch To the transiberian railway.
This road Will soon be pushed through 10
completion.
Russians Mean to Stay.
There is every indication that the Rus
slams not only mean 20 permanently &C
cupy Port Arthur. but are preparing TO
defend Il against any attempt 10 take the
place The Notifications are ret being
built for one year. but FOR many. There
Is no doubt that the Russians intend 10
keep Port Arthur forever. Why there is
no other belief among the Russian officials
and officers. Many OF them said openly
tina; they were there 10 stay. and they
boaSted about their ability 10 hold the
place against all the nations earth
From what / could see and learn the
osteasibe lease of Port Arthur by ;he
Russians Il merely "a blind 20 So secure
themselves that they cannot be displaced
IL nv opinion II Will always remain
Russian possession"
Speaking az the effects OF the new treaty
or the treaty that will go into effect be-
tween Japan and foreign nations on July
l. Mr. Stifnmel said
There are grave approximations on the
Part Of Americans and Europeans that the
abolition OF the consular courts VIII lead
80 serious injury and possibly trouble.
Japanese hands for they fear Japanese
Justice.
Native judges Try Foreigners.
''T'als treaty places Japan on a PAY with
other nations X ce3es all legal turisdic-
ton which other nations have heretofore
exercised IN Japan. In the past and a this
time Americans or Europeans who cnm-
mitfsd crimes have been tried fer them
before their respective CoDsuis. The con-
sol sits as "A court IL T}ete u3it justice &C
coTaing TO japanese law. such an ar
Tangsment has guaranteed fair trials to
foreigners. and & hAs worked We'll.
But the new treaty apoiisheS this sys-
TEN After July 1 foreigners. like JapS
must be- tried by native Judges Now
Americans AM Europeans have much fear
fer their safety The Japanese do not
hurry I" try 81 man charged with crime.
they have not our idea that the accused
IS entitled - a speedy trial. FOREIGNERS
sre fearful that they will te held In taft
Tor weeks without "a hearing as IL done
IN the case ~ japanese Then again II
gives tAe officials s. chance - 1racttcp
extoT{tun. ( learned u one case where. a
man was held forty days n koae without
q trial or hearing - any kind Il is most
n.E-aLnlN a n1ltta- Mn-.h IL.