The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1900-02-03
JAPAN IS READY FOR VAR
TO STRIKE 4 BLow At RUSSIA.
japan Might Have 70 Fight Before
she u neaay-she IEas . Powerful
Navy-wim No Ready sos war IN
six Meath..

London, Jan 5l.-Ths new and powerful
japanese warzhip Shildshima win Try 70
reach home port through the Suez canal.
but the Interpretation that ths departure
of the Shikishima was directly due to the
situation in China il ineoTrect, as the Asso-
eiated Press learns that thu date Get tor
sailing was decided on many weeks sgo
and a party was held on board o. her
previous to the deposition Of the emperor
OF China
But though this incident was given ex-
aeeerated Importance In the papen, The
Associated Pres Il able 70 cay that thosa
in England most ccgnizant Of the secret
aims Of Japan, especially thOss fulfilling
her naval contracts, have for some time
past thoroughly believed she meditated
striking = blow at Russia. II this impress
sion is correct, and there il the highest
and most conservative authority on which
to base it, II is not unlikely that Japans
hand may be forced and her intended
cup viii be attempted before her plans
are completed.
IL may be that Japan meditAtcs only
for the present administration to prevent
Russia from accomplishing the designs
which various correspondents have cred
tied her with since the change in China's
emperor. Two powerful war vessels built
for Japan on the Clyde viii coon be ready
to sail, while others are under course Of
rapid construction Their strength has
mot attracted much attention, but their
Importance 40 international factors can be
judged from q statement made 70 . rep
resentAtiVe Of the Associated Press BY one
Of EngiAnd's greatest shipbuilders, wh0
declared that the vessels building for
Japan were the most powerful in the world
and could destroy the best British ships
IN Is minutes Several Of JApan's vessels
in course Of construction would have bssn
completed before now had not Japan en-
eountered financial difheuldeA The Brit
ism builders would not let the vessels sAll
until paid for in cash To accomplish this
Japan induced syndicate Of English
bankers TO advance the money, and their
action has been the subject Of good deal
OF private criticism in the inner admiralty
circles, when it il realized what trOmen-
dous naval power Japan is aceumnlating
| anu tHSuSa hhcAN k'tAtsAA . 1SASu&SA h~e
not Impaired, it was thought inAdyisable
for British capitalists to 80 materially -
sist Japan to become q dangerous riyal.
A well known naval expert tells a repre-
sentative OF the Associated Press that u
, japan puts in commission the ships sched
uled for service in the near future, shs
will be ready for war within six months
and can then defy Russia, and asohe Jap
anese and Russian ships al present in tbs
far east compare, JapAn's fleet would hav'
: an excellent chance Of controlling the sit
uAtion-
Russia Moving 90 the Soath.
st. Petersburg, Jan 3l.-Ths HeralC
publishes an article describing the reeen
experimental transfer of Russian troop
TO Kuskh, and says:
Russia il obliged to take preeautiOnaI.
! y measures owing to the disturbance Of IN
balance Of power in consequence Of re
cent events. 1t IL unjust, therefore, b
blame Russia if she IL making preparation
! regarding the long strip between Psrsi
and AfghAnistan."