The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-14
To Justify the AIarmist View Of Rupture
Between Russia and Japan.
Regarded as Incredible That Se-
rious Denouement is SO Close at
Hand as Has Been Indicated by
Advices From Shanghai, British
and American Diplomats at
London Not Believing tho
China-Japanese Alliance IL Of
an Offensive Nature.

LONDON, Nov. 13.-A special dis
patch from Shanghai says the differ
ences between Russia and Japan have
been accentuated by Japans refusal to
grant Russia a footnold on the sea front
of Massampo harbor, Corea.
Careful inquiries made by the Asso-
ciated Press reveal nothing extant in
diplomatic circles here to justify the
alarmist view taken by section of the
press regarding the situation in the
Far East. That a serious denouement
is so close at hand as is indicated by
advices from Shanghai during the last
twenty-four hours is regarded as in
credible. For long time it has been
known here and it was asserted in AS
ISOLATED Press dispatches two months
ago, that China and Japan were closely
allied, but neither British nor American
diplomatists at London believe that this
alliance is of an offensive nature.
At any rate. it can be asserted posi-
lively that if Japan and China contem-
plate aggressive action against Russia
Lord Salisbury is not aware of their
intention, and it is scarcely probable
that those Powers would decide upon
any definite course without at least con-
sulting Great Britain, who, in the ma
ture of things, would be their ally,
whether active or passive
In the words of a British official who
discussed the situation with a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press.
while reports of a rupture, between
Russia and Japan are easy of creation,
and while they are liable to constant
reiteration, SO long as the diplomats of
the press continue to view the Far East
with such serious attention, it is GER
tainly palpable that if Japan really
means to strike a serious blow at Rus
sian control, she must do it quickly,
for very soon Russia will be far stron-
ger than she is now
Discussing the bearing of Russia's
new naval estimates upon this question
the official asserted that these certainly
indicated the intention of the Car to
increase the Russian fleet in Chinese
waters, which if done on the scope out
lined in the estimates, would leave ia
pan but little chance
Another phase of these reports
which has astonished me-" said the Off
cial, lis the suggestion of Chinese CO.
operation. Thus far no nation has been
able to arouse the Chinese sufficiently
to get them to combine in military en-
eOi Piioco. IL JdpdH mas uOne tnlS, or
even believes she has, then she has
accomplished more than Great Britain
or Russia in a century of effort
The action of the United States Gov.
eminent in requesting assurances from
foreign Governments regarding the
"open door, policy in China has created
intense satisfaction in official circles.
Lord Salisbury" according to the Of
fetal 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 recognizes the impossibility of
conducting their foreign affairs with
out the cooperation of other nations.
and as the first practical earnest of
their desire to conduct Eastern negotia-
lions in concert with European Govern
ments.''