The sun., 1900-04-02
The NEWS OF ENGLAND.
Russia's Strange Activity In the
Far East.
WHY JAPAN WON'T FIGHT.
The Bear, However, Is Threatening
Turkey = England Not Satisfied
with DcIagoa Bay Awnrd--An
American Boys Bravery.

been the International factor of the week,
and diplomatic functionaries attached to
the court Of st. james are asking them
selves, "What does it all mean and where
will it end?' The Russian ambassador
smiles blandly and assures his dear
friends that it means nothing, absolute
ly nothing;" but, just the same, specula-
ton is rife.
There are many men of fair standing
and IL tolerable knowledge Of internation-
al undercurrent who are willing to say
that war between Russia and Japan has
now come within measurable distance.
OF these Henry Norman. who has just
returned from trip to Russia, is one.
lig no sach view is taken by the British
f9seign office, which during the recent
tfoublous times has sized mp the inteina-
tional situation with wonderful correct
ness.
No War-Jnpan Not Ready.
The next few weeks may perhaps bring
UP Il tremendous war scare. but the sal
lent fact remains that Japan is not ready
for hostilities. Alarming kilograms from
the far east may increase and multiply,
and Korea may seem to he ON the verge
Of annexation by Russia, but the calm of
Downing street is not likely TO be dis
turbed. Korean mattors have been ar
ranged BY treaty, and Lord Salisbury
does not believe that Russia intends TO
break the treaties. though her relations
with Japan may become strained to a
serious point. II all this rumpus in the
far cast has been postponed for another
year, then there is scarcely any doubt
that wan would be a serious probability,
but those having an intimate knowledge
Of Japan's farrcaching naval projects and
their present state Of incompletcness do
not hesitate to say that Japan is not go
ing to Gisk anything until her plans are
matured.
Japan's naval maneuvers the coming
fall are to be carried out on an unprece-
dentcd scale and will partakc more of the
nature of demonstration than that Of
peaceful evolutons. Forty or more war
vessels are expected to be present in Jap
ancse waters The moral effect of such
an aggregation upon far eastern ques-
tions is carsing no little comment
As far as Great Britain is concerned
Rnssin's military rather than naval ac-
tivity is chiefly interesting, though the
press is not vet allowed to take up its
cue in this matter. The foreign Office,
while only family interested in Korea,
Icing practically sure that no serious
trouble will result there, is devoting care
ful investigation to the wallike prepara-
tions occurring in south Russia.
Russin Threatening Turkey.
There seems no longer to lie any doubt
that Turkey for her tardincss to meet the
Russian demands regarding railway con
cessions is being mcnaccd lly iier northern
neighbor, and many signs point 10 Tho
fact that Russia intends to settle herself
in the northeast Of Asia Minor lmles;
Turkey gives in. Already 2J0000 Rms
sian troops are massod On these borders,
While the Black sea squadron II ready
for business at Il moments notice. To
what extent British moral assistance can
be given to Turkey in withstandiue the
Russian demands is a question which III
the present moment is occupying Lord
Salisbury y attention to IN even greater
extent than the South African war. In
view Of the troubles of Great Britain III
South Africa it is more Than probable
that Turkey will meet the demands and
that the Russian troops will be With
drawn.
The scare anent Russian troops conccn-
trating i'll Afghanistan apparently arose
from this movement in the direction Of
Turkey in Asia Minor, and Afghanistan
has passed into the category of peaceful,
unintercsting spheres.
With all these reports, TO say nothing
Of continued rumorS Of Bulgnra's desire
to throw eff Turkeys suzrainty and be-
come a vassal Of the ear, it is evident
that while Russia is observing in the let
ter her promise to England not to inter
fcre in South Africa She Is not idle in
taking advantage Of opportunities in ey-
ery quarter Of the globe For tile peace
of he wofli It is reassuring "a remember
that the fixed policy of Russia for years
has been to take matters almost 10 the
point of hoStilties and ilcn ID settle din
hmatical!y, The only c% cp;ian 81 this in
nlodetn times hain& iii tha tNriH!aa, whpif
lie tnne 81 t}e Haaee paetg II England
igsl i%g ta ijf!iet2 hat tlfat Ga0ntiE would
naf Interfere.
fhe EeIa5sua tag Asgard.
ts nation and as niivilIa5 Great
t.hitHin y fGtN Nfath over tllc Deu@oa
BAY ratlWaT al7ad. iA9 average opin-
l7A IS thAt tllis is taetelE tte latest I'M
StaHne Mi.e tlla ranuttr h4s eot the
W4f easI tr .Nsine q attitaati1n All
tlc la@h il9NI Prophecies tl4f ain Anglo
t5AEman secret -ttGieau aguaaraent ~nuld
hc3aio nGnGitigo through the decision
hve talan tlat beeansa tiie damages
a@siHs soita30l 9fc 50 Small thJt Ie Is
aiaaa aie to pay them barseIf Without
ewing other plriv q tle scmet agfee-
mont tReir opportunity I'D iidQing for
tloia@1a ls'r. ! hat thia would ocer was
hnitclE statal some days ago I'll these
dishB lt0s. ut fiEld I'D ta thp last sew
eral III the hinst influential oigans seem
81 ~ ha aimasl sure hat rortuaal would
~ 0biigpd g sfil Dcagoa hay u Gfeat
hfitan % oriiet 70 EBy UP. AIS result
IN ibis confidence lielagoa Bay railway
agbchufes went up @ H. and shares of
tie company % Li. After The announcer
mcnt of thp decision tie dpEeuturcs went
down g lau, while sharcs could liz
bought ior =. "a. or practically nothing,
rs il was evident that tile award proyid-
Cd scarcely anything tp make them good.
After fills tremendous drop il will be Il
long time before the city looks favorably
on arbitration proposals.
Lacking all interesting developments in
South Africa except the death of Gen
eral Joubert. which brought forth most
generous tributes from all classes in
Great Britain, home politics have unde-
servedly claimed a large share of atten-
tion. Parliament has scarcely been as in
structve and interesting as the alder
manic proceedings of the smallest city Of