Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1900-02-02
JAPAN IS READY FOR WAR
TO STRIKE A BLOW AT RUSSIA
.Jaumm Mi9ht Have to Fight Before
She In R~sLS-She Has a Powerful
An~y-WiII Ne Ready for War In
SIA Months.

London. Jan. 3l.--The new and powerful
japanese warship Shikishima will try t
reach home port through the suez cana'
but the Interpretation that the departure
OF the Shikishima was directly due to th'
situation in China is incorrect. as the Asso
ciated Press learns that the date set iol
sailing was decided on many weeks agE
and a party was held on board OF hei
previous to the deposition OF the emperor
OF China.
But though this incident was given ex
aggclated Importance in the papers, The
| Associated Press is able 10 say that those
in England most cogniZant of the secret
aims OF Japan, especially those fulfilling
her naval contracts, have for some time
past thoroughly believed she meditated
striking blow at Russia. Ii this imprci
sion is correct, and there is the highes,
and most conservative authority on which
to base it, it is not unlikely that Japan /
hand may be forced and her intended
coup will be attempted before her plans
are completed.
1t may be that Japan meditates 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 Z
emperor. Two powerful war vessels built
for Japan on the Clyde will soon be ready
to sail, while others are under course oi
rapid construction. Their strength has
not attracted much attention, but their
Importance as international factors can be
Judged from statement made to u rep.
resentative Of the Associated Press by one
OF England's greatest shipbnilders, who
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 been
completed before now had not Japan en-.
countcred financial difficulties. The Brit
ish builders would not let the vessels sail
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 is realized what tremen-
dous naval power Japan is accommodating
and though Great Britain's strength was
not impaired, it was thought inadvisabe
for British capitalists to SO materially as
slst Japan to become dangerous rival.
a well known naval expert tells repre-.
sentative OF the Associated Press that il
Japan puts in commission the ships SEIZED.
uled for service III the near future, she
VIII be ready for war within six months.
and can then defy Russia, and az the Jap
anese and Russian ships at present in the
far cast compare, Japan's fleet would have
All excellent chance of controlling the sit.
uation.
Russia Moving to the south.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 3l.-The Herald
publishes an article describing the recen,
experimental transfer of Russian troons
to knskh, and says
Russia is obliged to take precautionary
measures owing to the disturbance OF tn.
balance Of power in consequence of re.
cent events. 1t is unjust, therefore. to
blame Russia if she is making preparation.
regarding the long strip between Persia
and Afghanistan.'