The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1900-02-03
JAPAN IS N READINESS.
70 STRIKE A BLOW AT RUSSIA
Japan Might Have TO Fight Before
she IL Ready-she Has . Powerful
Navy-Wnl he Ready for War In
Six Months.

London, Jan. 3l.-The new and powerful
Japanese warship Shikishima will try To
reach home port through the Suez canal,
but the Interpretation that the departure
of the Shikishima was directly due to the
situation in China is incorrect, as the Asso-
ciated Press learns that the date set tor
sailing was decided on many weeks ago
and g party was held on board Of her
previous to the deposition Of the emperor
OF China.
But though this incident was given ex-
aggerated importance in the papers, the
Associated Press is able to 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. lf'this impress
sion il correct, and there is the highest
and most conservative authority on which
to base it, it is not unlikely that Japan q
hand may be forced and her intended
coup will be attempted before her plans
are completed.
It 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 will soon be ready
to call, while others are under course Of
rapid construction. Their strength has
not attracted much attention, but their
importance AZ international factors can be
judged from statement made to a rep
resentative of the Associated Press by one
Of England's greatest shipbuilders, who
declared that the vessels building for
Japan were the most powerful in the world
and could destroy the best British ships
In IL minutes. Several Of Japan's vessels
in course Of construction would have been
completed before now had not Japan en-
countered financial difficulties. The Brit
ish builders would not let the vessels sail
until paid for In cash. To accomplish this
Japan induced q 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 inadvisable
for British capitalists to so materially as
sist Japan to become dangerous rival.
A well known naval expert tells repre-
sentative M the Associated Press that If
Japan puts in commission the ships sched-
uled for service in the near future, she
viii be ready for war within six months,
and can then defy Russia, and as the Jap
anese and Russian ships at present in the
far east compare, Japan's fleet would have
an excellent chance Of controlling the ait
uation.
Russia Moving to the south.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 3l.-The Herald
publishes an article describing the recent
experimental transfer Of Russian troops
to Kuskh, and says:
''Russia 10 obliged to take precautionary
measures owing to the disturbance Of the
balance Of power in consequence Of re-
cent events. 1t II unjust, therefore, to
blame Russia II she Is making preparations
regarding the long strip between Persia
and AfUhanis