The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-11-14
RUSSIA AND JAPAN.
Diplomats Know Nothing Of Japan's
Alleged Aggressive Mood.
RUSSIA Is GROWING STRONGER.

ar Japan Really Means to Strike q
Blow at Russian Control" Says o
British oniciai, "she Must Do 1t
Quickly"
London, Nov. 14.-Careful inquiry
reveals 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 serious denouement is
80 close at hand as is indicated by
advices from Shanghai is regarded az
incredible. For long time 1t has
been known here that China and Japan
were closely allie., but neither British
. nor American dlplomatists in London
believe that this alliance Is of an Of
fensive nature.
At any rate 1t can be asserted posi-
lively that If Japan and China con-
template aggressive action against
Russia, Lord Salisbury is not aware
Of their intention, and it Is scarcely
probable that those powers would de-
eide upon any definite course without
at least consulting Great Britain, who,
In the nature of things, would be their
ally, whether active or passive
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 that they would
be surprised at nothing. They have
endeavored to take precautions against
everything. In the words Of the Brit
ish official who discussed the situation
with a press representative:
while reDorts 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 press continue to view the far east
with such serious attention. 1t is GER
tainly palpable that IL Japan really
means to strike serious blow at Rus
sian control she must do 1t quickly,
for very soon Russia will be far
stronger than she is now"
Discussing the bearings of Russia's
new naval estimates upon this ques-
ton, the official asserted that these
certainly indicated the intention of the
car to increase the Russian feet in
Chinese waters. which, If done on the
scope outlined in the estimates, would
leave Japan but little chance.
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 suf-
ficiently to get them to combine in
military enterprises. If Japan has
done this. or even believes she has.
then she has accomplished more than
Great Britain or Russia in 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 Gre
ated intense satisfaction in British
official circles.
Lord Salisbury" according to the
official quoted above, "has gladly &C.
quiesced in this step on the part of
the United States. which is regarded
as most potent evidence that the Uni
ted States recognize the impossible
ity Of conducting their foreign affairs
without the cooperation of other ma
tions, and as the first practical earnest
of their desire to conduct eastern ne
gotiations in concert with European