The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-28

LONDON, Jan. z.--some Of the after
noon papers associate the departure to-
day Of the new Japanese ship Shikishima
with the possible complications in regard
to the situation In China. especially as 1t
il announced that the Shikishima will-en-
deavor to traverse the Suez canal by d.
vesting herself Of her armament. Up to
the present no ship of such size has tray-
ersed the canal.
Given Exaggerated Importance.
The Interpretation that the departure OF
the Shikishima was directly due to the sit
uation In China ID incorrect, as the Asso-
ciated Press learns today that the date
set for the sailing was decided on many
weeks ago and farewell party was held
on board her previous to the deposition OF
the emperor of China
Japan's Secret Aims.
But though this incident was given ex-
aggerated Importance in the afternoon
papers, the Associated Press Is able to
say that those in England most cognizant
of the secret aims of Japan, especially
those who are fulfilling her naval con-
tracts, have for some time past thorough
ly believed she mediated striking a blow
at Russia II this impression is correct
and there is the highest and most con-
servatice authority on which to base It, It
is not unlikely that Japan's hand may be
forced and her intended coup will be at
tempted before her plans are completed.
1t may be that Japan only meditates for
the present to prevent Russia from ac-
compiishing the designs which various
correspondents have credited her with
since the change In China's emperor.
Powerful Fleet Building.
Two powerful war vessels built for Ja-
pan on the Clyde will soon be ready to
sail, while others are under course of
rapid construction. Their strength has not
attracted much attention. but their i'm
portance as International factors can be
Judged from a statement made to a rep
resentative of the Associated Press by one
of England's greatest shipbuilders, who
declared the vessels building for Japan
were the most powerful in the world and
could destroy the best British ships in fif-
teen minutes.
Financial Troubles Overcome.
Several of Japans vessels in course of
construction would have been completed
before now had not Japan encountered
financial difficulties. The British builders
would not let the vessels sail until paid
for in cash. To accomplish this Japan
induced a syndicate of English bankers to
advance the money, and their action has
been the subject of good deal of pri-
vate criticism in the inner admiralty cir
cles, when 1t was realized what tremen-
dous naval power Japan was accumulat-
ing, and though Great Britain's strength
was not impaired, 1t was thought inad-
visable for British capitalists to so ma
terially assist Japan to become a dan
gerous rival.
Ready in Six Months.
A we'll known naval expert tells rep
resentative of the Associated Press that
If Japan puts in commission the ships
scheduled for service in the near future
she will be ready for war within six
months, and can then defy Russia, and
as the Japanese and Russian ships at
present in the far East compare, Japan's
fleet would have an excellent chance Of
controlling the situation.
Why Russia Is Preparing.
F. ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 27-The Her.
aid publishes an article describing the re-
cent experimental transfer of Russian
troops to Kushk, and says:
Russia is obliged to take precaution-
airy measures, owing to the disturbance
of the balance of power owing to recent
events. 1t Is unjust. therefore, to blame
Russia if she is making preparations re-
garding the long strip between Peris and
Afghanistan."
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