New-York tribune., 1900-07-08
AND RUSSIANS IN CHINA.

The recent cable dispatches relative to the con-
sent given by European Powers to the employ
ment of japanese troops in China give an in
creased interest TO interview with a japanese
statesman travelling in Germany, published re-
Gently in the "Magdeburger Zeitung."
The japanese" said the interviewed diplo-
mat from the Far East, were the only ones TO
wish that the Britons might be victorious in the
T1ansvaal var The Mikado has congratulated
Queen Victoria every time her troops were vic
torous. At the beginning of April, when British
success was clearly foreshadowed, Japan mo-
bilized all her naval and military forces That
was done with the utmost secrecy. The only party
informed of it was the English Admiral
manding in Chinese waters. He was invited TO
attend d manGuvre Of the Japanese fleet in the
Corean Straits. That manduVre represented the
blockade and the capture OF a Russian naval
squadron.
The japanese are convinced that war with
Russia is unavoidable, and they want to be fore
most. As soon as England shall have fully ter
minated the South African war Japan will begin
the struggle Not that Japan needs the co-opera-
ton Of the British against Russia, but she desires
England prohibit France from supporting Rus
sia, and thus TO renew the events of Simonoseh,
when Japan deprived Of the fun fruits Of
victory China.
1t is for this reason that Russo-Japanese war
will break this summer At present the Jap
anese feet is little superior to that of Russia;
but this superiority will last long, since the
Russians bring reinforcements to their naval
depots, Japan also is in the more advantageous
situation.
"As to the renforcements of the Russian squad;
ron in the Far East, after war has been declared
they viii not be able TO arrive because the English
VIII not let them take coal in their depOtS. Thus
the Russian vessels will be compelled TO return for
want OF coal, just like the Spanish ships which
started for the Philippines
I'VE are convinced that can defeat the Rus
SLAMS. In that case England would profit as much
stopped absolutely in her advance southwark. AS
TO Japan she will take not only Corea but also
Lao-Tong which she compelled to surrender
in 1885"
Russian diplomat, to whom the above inter
view communicated by the Editor OF the Paris
"Patrie'' answered:
Il do 70 predict the future; l only care
10 furnish few particulars. With the Japanese
Government entertain officially the best rea-
tions, but if broke out things would not be
she would wish In fact, first Port Arthur is al
ready connected by railroad with Europe which
would permit il TO be proVisioned according its
wants; second, the depot buildings already so
far advanced that their provisioning has begun
A French contractor is filing those depots with
coal from French Indo-China, which win be our
coal furnishing ia the Far East. Third,
in order TO make the voyage there our Russian
vessels have need Of British depOts as was
demonstrated in the case OF the ship Giliak which
replenished her bunkers in the Persian Gulf, not
wfthstanding the energetic opposition OF British
agents You that the Russians have good rea-
sons not be frightened by the menaces of Japan
despite the friendship of that nation for Eng
land